Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
345. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the stations newly attested gardaí were assigned to in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10924/20]
View answer346. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the stations probationer gardaí were assigned to as part of their phased training in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10925/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.
Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. 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.
The resources provided to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff and as a result, An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as at 31 May 2020, there are now 14,700 Garda members nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow. This figure includes the Garda trainees from two separate intake classes who attested earlier than scheduled in March 2020, which was an operational decision taken by the Garda Commissioner in order to augment An Garda Síochána's capacity to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The information requested in respect of the stations to which newly attested Gardaí and probationer Gardaí were assigned in 2019 and to date in 2020 is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/008_Allocation_of_Probationer_Gardaí_by_Division_and_Station_2014_to_March_2020.xlsx/Files/008_Allocation_of_Probationer_Gardaí_by_Division_and_Station_2014_to_March_2020.xlsx
In addition, a detailed breakdown of the Garda workforce, including both Garda members and staff, is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public.
Information on Garda members and the location to which they are deployed is available at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/02_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_April_2020.xlsx/Files/02_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_April_2020.xlsx
Information on the Garda workforce including both members and staff is available at the following links: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff
