Willie Penrose
Question:205. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of increasing the number of dedicated community gardaí by 30%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44216/18]
View answerWednesday, 24 October 2018
Questions (205)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for further information on the question raised by the Deputy and when it is received I will write directly to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to parliamentary question No. 205 for answer on 24 October 2018 relating to the estimated cost of increasing the number of dedicated community Gardaí by 30%.
The Deputy will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact him again when the information was available. I apologise for the delay in responding, while I consulted with An Garda Síochána on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware, there has been an unprecedented level of investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The budgetary allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 amounts to €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021; and investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period. This continuing investment supports the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,600 Garda recruits have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide including some 207 who attested on 8 March, the first attestation of this year and Budget 2019 provides for recruitment to continue this year.
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of his identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. All Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
The Garda authorities inform that it is not possible to provide for the estimated cost of increasing the number of dedicated community Gardaí by 30% as the number allocated fluctuates depending on the locality and resources available to the local Divisional Chief Superintendent.
I trust that this information is of assistance.