Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2019
160. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí allocated to Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda stations; the total number in this regard; the number of community gardaí in these stations since 2010; and the number of shifts over which the community gardaí are spread. [12539/19]
View answerAs 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.
Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda Stations form part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Division. The Garda strength of the DMR South from 2009 to 31 January 2019 as provided by the Garda Commissioner is available on my Department’s website through the following links. http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_January_2018.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_January_2018.xlsx
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.
I am advised by the Commissioner that all Community Gardaí in Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda Stations are rostered across five units, working Early (7am-5pm), Late (12pm-10pm/4pm-2am, depending what day the late falls in the roster), and Night Shifts (6pm-4am).
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Community Garda Strength in Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda Stations in each of the years from 2010 to 31 January 2019, the latest date for which figures are currently available, as supplied by the Garda Commissioner are as set out in the table.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
Garda Strength Presented - Community Gardaí - Total
|
Station |
Tallaght |
Rathfarnham |
||
|
Year |
Community Gardaí |
Total |
Community Gardaí |
Total |
|
2010 |
20 |
199 |
6 |
76 |
|
2011 |
24 |
194 |
7 |
73 |
|
2012 |
31 |
188 |
9 |
74 |
|
2013 |
25 |
174 |
10 |
78 |
|
2014 |
25 |
170 |
7 |
72 |
|
2015 |
27 |
176 |
9 |
69 |
|
2016 |
19 |
179 |
8 |
64 |
|
2017 |
18 |
181 |
7 |
58 |
|
2018 |
21 |
199 |
6 |
54 |
|
2019* |
24 |
198 |
6 |
54 |
*As of 31 January 2019
Total: means all those Gardaí at a station all of whom have community policing as an inherent part of their role.
Community Gardaí: are those with the official categorisation and are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities including giving talks to schools, community groups and others.
