Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2018
12. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and reservists in each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42401/18]
View answerWill the Minister state the number of gardaí and reservists in each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny and make a statement on the matter? As the Minister knows, I have asked this question regularly since the recession. What are the current statistics?
I acknowledge the Deputy's consistent interest in this matter on behalf of his constituents in Carlow–Kilkenny. I am very pleased to engage with him at all times. He will appreciate that it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who is fully responsible for the distribution of Garda personnel among the various divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends in the area and policing priorities to ensure the optimum use is made of resources. I do not interfere politically in policing matters, nor do I direct the Commissioner where to deploy resources.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility, I have provided, in tabular form, the detailed information requested by the Deputy. I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Kilkenny–Carlow division on 31 August, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 333. There are also 26 Garda reserves and 41 Garda civilian staff attached to the Kilkenny–Carlow division. When necessary, the work of local gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units, including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the armed support units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. I confirm the Government's commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána and ensuring the organisation is appropriately resourced.
Garda recruitment was effectively discontinued from 2010 until 2014. I am very pleased that 2,200 recruits have since been attested as members, of whom 57 have been assigned to the Kilkenny–Carlow division. I am pleased that by the end of the year in a few weeks' time the strength of An Garda Síochána will have reached over 14,000. It will have reached this number for the first time in many years.
Kilkenny/Carlow Division 31 August 2018
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
Carlow |
Ballon |
1 |
|
Borris |
1 |
||
|
Carlow |
89 |
||
|
Hacketstown |
1 |
||
|
Muinebheag |
10 |
||
|
Myshall |
1 |
||
|
Rathvilly |
1 |
||
|
Tullow |
16 |
||
|
Carlow Total |
120 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
Callan |
5 |
|
|
Castlecomer |
10 |
||
|
Freshford |
1 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
132 |
||
|
Urlingford |
2 |
||
|
Kilkenny Total |
150 |
||
|
Thomastown |
Ballyhale |
1 |
|
|
Bennetsbridge |
1 |
||
|
Glenmore |
1 |
||
|
Goresbridge |
2 |
||
|
Graiguenamanagh |
4 |
||
|
Kilmacow |
1 |
||
|
Kilmoganny |
1 |
||
|
Mooncoin |
9 |
||
|
Mullinavat |
3 |
||
|
Piltown |
2 |
||
|
Stonyford |
1 |
||
|
Thomastown |
37 |
||
|
Thomastown Total |
63 |
||
|
Kilkenny/Carlow Total |
333 |
Garda Reserves Kilkenny/Carlow Division by Station 31 August 2018
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
|
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
|
Muinebeag |
1 |
|
Thomastown |
4 |
|
Carlow |
9 |
|
Tullow |
0 |
|
Total |
26 |
I am glad to hear that there has been an increase in the numbers. I will not give the numbers I have because I believe they are outdated. They date from last April. While I am glad that there has been an increase in the numbers, I contest that the Government sometimes underestimates the value of community gardaí and their effectiveness in fighting crime, rural crime in particular. The community garda is a confidant and trusted liaison between the man on the street and the man on the beat. Members of the public are far more comfortable in relaying potentially sensitive and confidential information on a crime to a garda they know and trust.
It is important to have a garda operating in this capacity who knows the community and the people of the community. The community garda can collect and convey vital crime-solving information to his or her colleagues. The single greatest deterrent to crime is a well informed garda on the beat. It is my firm belief that we should aim to have a community garda in every Garda station in the State. That is the level of importance that I place on this crucial policing position. Every parish in any part of Ireland, and in rural Ireland in particular, should have a community garda in place to fight the crime that we all know is there.
Deputy Aylward makes an important point. In recognising the need to change the model of community policing I am advised that Garda management is working on developing a new model of community policing to take account of the changes taking place within our rural and urban communities, and the need for a really responsive police service. I ask Deputies to accept the fact that the ongoing recruitment process will support An Garda Síochána in its activities with enhanced Garda visibility in our community. Deputy Aylward is a rural Deputy like myself and I share his view of the devastating effect that theft from farms can have on the livelihood of farmers and their sense of security in rural areas. I am informed that An Garda Síochána is actively working with local communities and farming organisations in order to do more to prevent farm theft. I acknowledge the work of farm organisations, of community groups and the community alert text alert scheme. I have some funding available from my Department to assist rural communities in this regard. I also acknowledge the importance of the Theft Stop database, designed to deter criminals from taking and selling farm equipment and other machinery by ensuring it is clearly marked with a unique ID. I thank Deputy Aylward for raising the important matter of rural and farm crime.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I also want to ask the Minister about the Garda traffic corps. There was a big reduction in the Garda traffic corps during the recessionary times. The traffic corps plays a vital role in policing in country areas also. We need the Garda traffic corps numbers to be brought up to the proper strength. I am aware that there is recruitment happening currently.
With regard to CCTV on motorways and coming off motorways, there are two coming off from Kilkenny from the midlands and from the north of Kilkenny. It is important because CCTV helps to catch criminals. It helps gardaí to identify people even as they are leaving bigger cities such as Dublin or Limerick, who come down to rob places and get away onto the motorway in 20 minutes and then they are gone. We should look seriously at the provision of CCTV. It was in the programme for Government I believe.
I agree with Deputy Aylward that every effort should be made at local community level, particularly in rural communities, in the fight against crime and for crime prevention. There are two CCTV schemes, one which is run by communities and one by An Garda Síochána. I understand that the two CCTV schemes in Kilkenny in close proximity to the motorways are important for local communities.
My Department has made €1 million available for the provision of CCTV at the behest of local communities, and working with local communities. Obviously there are a number of conditions but I encourage local communities to become involved. They will need to engage with the local community crime prevention officer, with the data protection controller who is in the local authority, and with the local joint policing committee, and again I acknowledge the importance of the various joint policing committees in the State. I will be happy to speak directly with Deputy Aylward after this session to ensure that information and knowledge is fully available to communities in rural Kilkenny and Carlow so they can benefit from these schemes.
In the absence of Deputy Farrell we will take Deputy Broughan's question.
