I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 304, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
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. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that 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 strength by Station and Rank for the D.M.R. North Division, as provided by the Garda Commissioner from 2009, is available on my Department’s website through the link below.
Garda Nos. by Division
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Community Garda Strength in Garristown, Skerries, Lusk. Swords, Malahide and Balbriggan Garda Stations, and the D.M.R. North Division in each of the years 2009 to 30 September 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available, as supplied by the Garda Commissoner are as set out in the table.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the link below
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
Garda Strength presented as “Community” Gardaí and Total Gardaí by Station and Year
Garda Strength