Written Answers Nos. 642-661
642. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí trained in public order in each Garda division as of 1 September 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24858/20]
View answerI have written to An Garda Síochána requesting a report on the information sought by the Deputy, and will revert when this is to hand.
|
Division |
Numbers Certified in Public Order (as at 30 April 2021) |
|
DMR West |
47 |
|
DMR South |
53 |
|
DMR South Central |
54 |
|
DMR East |
49 |
|
DMR North Central |
57 |
|
DMR North |
47 |
|
DMR Regional Office Harcourt Sq |
1 |
|
Donegal |
27 |
|
Cork City |
45 |
|
Cork North |
19 |
|
Cork West |
18 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
1 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
1 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Kildare |
32 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
2 |
|
Limerick |
22 |
|
Meath |
20 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
44 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
|
Westmeath |
36 |
|
Wexford |
33 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
50 |
|
Western Region Galway |
1 |
|
Special Crime Ops |
9 |
643. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the budget allocation for the Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24859/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under Section 43 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda budget and the allocation of these resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for 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.
Given the large number of Regions, Divisions and Specialist Units within the Garda Organisation as well as the central management of general overheads such as ICT and the Garda fleet, I understand that budgets are not allocated on specialist unit basis. However, I am advised that the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the annual spend on the Garda National Immigration Bureau for 2019 and up to and including 31 July 2020, the latest date for which figures are available.
|
-Garda National Immigration Bureau |
2019 |
1 Jan -31 July 2020 |
|
Costs |
€11,281,111 |
€6,695,735 |
644. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if there is a dedicated officer with central authority for the recovery of missed court ordered maintenance payments (details supplied). [24890/20]
View answerIt would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual applications. Such applications are facilitated by the Central Authority for International Maintenance Recovery which is located in my Department.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy has been in contact with the Central Authority in relation to their application and that an update outlining the current situation has been sent to them.
If they wish to contact the Central Authority again the individual can do so by email to mainrecov@justice.ie .
I also understand that an application for a variation of an existing court order can be made to a court that made an original order.
645. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí in Cork from 2010 to 2019 and to date 2020, in tabular form. [24927/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that 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 each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I can inform the Deputy that detailed information in relation to Community Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties.
646. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the funding provided for community gardaí in Cork from 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [24928/20]
View answerI have written to An Garda Síochána requesting a report on the information sought by the Deputy, and will revert when this is to hand.
647. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions under Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 from 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020 by region in tabular form. [24929/20]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the decision about whether or not to prosecute a person, and for what crime, is entirely a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions and I have no role in such matters.
As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions which includes information relating to prosecutions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service and it has provided the following available data of offences and number of persons before the courts for under Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 from 2010 to 2019 and for January to July 2020.
January – December 2010
|
.Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
ARDEE |
1 |
1 |
|
ATHLONE |
1 |
1 |
|
ATHY |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLYHAUNIS |
2 |
1 |
|
CASTLEBLANEY |
1 |
1 |
|
CLAREMORRIS |
2 |
2 |
|
DROGHEDA |
1 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
12 |
9 |
|
KILLALOE |
1 |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
5 |
4 |
|
LONGFORD |
1 |
1 |
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
1 |
1 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
3 |
2 |
|
TEMPLEMORE |
1 |
1 |
|
THURLES |
1 |
1 |
|
TRALEE |
1 |
1 |
|
TRIM |
1 |
1 |
|
TULLAMORE |
2 |
2 |
|
WEXFORD |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
39 |
33 |
January – December 2013.
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
ATHY |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
4 |
3 |
|
BIRR |
1 |
1 |
|
CARLOW |
2 |
2 |
|
CAVAN |
5 |
3 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
5 |
3 |
|
EDENDERRY |
1 |
1 |
|
ENNIS |
1 |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
3 |
3 |
|
LISTOWEL |
2 |
2 |
|
LONGFORD |
1 |
1 |
|
MALLOW |
1 |
1 |
|
MULLINGAR |
3 |
2 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
1 |
1 |
|
TRALEE |
2 |
2 |
|
TRIM |
1 |
1 |
|
TULLAMORE |
2 |
2 |
|
WATERFORD CITY |
1 |
1 |
|
WEXFORD |
1 |
1 |
|
WICKLOW |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
39 |
33 |
January – December 2014.
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
ARKLOW |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
2 |
2 |
|
CARLOW |
1 |
1 |
|
CLIFDEN |
2 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
4 |
3 |
|
LETTERKENNY |
1 |
1 |
|
NAVAN |
3 |
2 |
|
NENAGH |
1 |
1 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
1 |
1 |
|
TULLAMORE |
1 |
1 |
|
WICKLOW |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
18 |
15 |
January - December 2015.
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
CARLOW |
1 |
1 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
1 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
5 |
5 |
|
KILLORGLIN |
1 |
1 |
|
LETTERKENNY |
2 |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
4 |
4 |
|
MONAGHAN |
1 |
1 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
3 |
3 |
|
VIRGINIA |
2 |
2 |
|
WEXFORD |
2 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
22 |
20 |
January – December 2016
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
CORK CITY |
1 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
5 |
4 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
2 |
2 |
|
THURLES |
2 |
2 |
|
TULLAMORE |
2 |
2 |
|
WESTPORT |
2 |
2 |
|
Grand Total |
14 |
13 |
January – December 2017
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
BALLINASLOE |
1 |
1 |
|
CARNDONAGH |
2 |
2 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
5 |
5 |
|
DUNDALK |
1 |
1 |
|
GALWAY |
2 |
2 |
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
1 |
1 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
2 |
2 |
|
TULLAMORE |
2 |
2 |
|
WEXFORD |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
17 |
17 |
January – December 2018
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
AN DAINGEAN |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
1 |
1 |
|
BRAY |
2 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
16 |
12 |
|
GALWAY |
2 |
2 |
|
KILLALOE |
1 |
1 |
|
KILRUSH |
1 |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
1 |
1 |
|
MEATH |
1 |
1 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
1 |
1 |
|
TULLAMORE |
1 |
1 |
|
WATERFORD CITY |
2 |
2 |
|
Grand Total |
30 |
25 |
January– December 2019
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
BALLINASLOE |
1 |
1 |
|
BRAY |
1 |
1 |
|
CARLOW |
2 |
1 |
|
CORK CITY |
1 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
62 |
11 |
|
GOREY |
1 |
1 |
|
KILLARNEY |
1 |
1 |
|
LETTERKENNY |
2 |
2 |
|
LIMERICK |
2 |
2 |
|
TULLAMORE |
1 |
1 |
|
WESTPORT |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
75 |
23 |
January - July 2020
|
Court Area |
No of Offences |
No of Persons |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
7 |
4 |
|
GALWAY |
6 |
1 |
|
LONGFORD |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
14 |
6 |
648. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice her plans to increase garda numbers in Rathcoole, County Dublin in response to the increase in crime and an increase in population. [24932/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and the deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured, 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 the recorded increase in crime in Rathcoole in 2018/2019 primarily related to a series of thefts which occurred in that time. I am further informed that the local Garda management have put in place a number of operations which have been effective in responding to these incidents and have resulted in a number of significant detections and prosecutions.
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. As at 31 August 2020, there are now approximately 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow.
A detailed breakdown of the Garda workforce, including both Garda members and staff, is available on my Department’s website. Details of Garda deployment for all Garda Divisions, as furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, is available at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_August_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_August_2020.xlsx
This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána and published on my Department's website, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public.
Additional information on the Garda workforce, as furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, is available at the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
Information on Garda staff, as furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, is available at: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff
649. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that have been received for a labour market access permission since the European Communities (Receptions Conditions) Regulations 2018 came into effect on 30 June 2018; the number refused; the number granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24938/20]
View answer650. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for applications for a labour market access permission pursuant to the European Communities (Receptions Conditions) Regulations 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24939/20]
View answer651. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the longest period of time it has taken to process an application for labour market access permission pursuant to the European Communities (Receptions Conditions) Regulations 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24940/20]
View answer652. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of applications for labour market access permissions that have taken longer than one month to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24941/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 649 to 652, inclusive, together.
The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, transposing the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive, came into effect from 30 June 2018. The Regulations provide, inter alia, for access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. An applicant who has not received a first instance decision on their international protection application within 9 months from the date of application can make an application for a labour market access permission.
Applications are made to the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) of the Immigration Service of my Department. If the application is successful, a labour market access permission, once granted, is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and can be renewed until a final decision is made on an applicant’s international protection application.
Up to and including 16 September 2020, a total of 7,328 applications have been received for a labour market access permission. Of these, 1,811 have been refused and 5,322 have been granted to date. The other 195 applications are pending. The pending figure includes applications which have not yet reached the 9 months criterion, and those where the return of requested supporting documents is awaited. The majority of cases pending are ultimately granted.
The average processing time for these 7,328 applications is 11.1 days. 4,590 (62.6%) have been processed within 1 week of receipt, while 666 (9%) have taken longer than 30 days to process. The remaining 2,072 (28.4%) applications have been processed in 8-30 days.
Generally, for any application that takes longer than a week to process, the delay is attributable to the applicant. For example, some applications are received in an incomplete form or are missing required documentation. In such cases, the LMAU engages further with the applicant and the application remains open until a response is received and a decision is possible.
The changed administrative working arrangements arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, means that postal applications are taking longer to process than those received by email. The LMAU is currently processing emailed applications within one week of receipt. Due to the administrative restrictions and reduced time spent in the office by administering officials resulting from COVID-19, postal applications are taking longer to be processed.
The LMAU is encouraging applicants to email their applications and this is notified on the relevant section of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website. Additionally, LMAU has engaged with NGO’s and legal representatives of intending applicants to encourage email applications where possible.
653. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of protective services units for victims of sexual and domestic crime; and the locations in which they have been established in tabular form. [24944/20]
View answerUnder 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 the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
The establishment of Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) is a major commitment in the Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme and will deliver a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of specialised crime types, including sexual crime, child abuse and domestic abuse.
I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to implement the roll-out of DPSUs throughout the State and aims to ensure that a DPSU will be in operation within every Garda Síochána division as soon as possible. Roll-out of these Units will meet a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future , the four-year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
I have been informed that there are currently twenty two (22) Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) established across twenty one (21) Divisions including two (2) DPSUs established in the DMR West Division. Most recently, 4 new DPSUs went live on the 4th August 2020, namely units in DMR North Central, Cork North, Cavan Monaghan, and DMR North.
The below table outlines the twenty-two (22) Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) that have been established to date, including their locations:
|
.DPSU location |
Number of DPSUs |
|
DMR West |
2 |
|
DMR South Central |
1 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
|
Carlow/ Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Cork West |
1 |
|
DMR South |
1 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
|
DMR North Central |
1 |
|
Cork North |
1 |
|
Cavan/ Monaghan |
1 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Sligo/ Leitrim |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Total |
22 |
Additionally, it is expected that the remaining Divisional Protective Service Units which have not been established to date will be established over the coming weeks. These remaining Divisional Protective Service Units are as follows:
|
Remaining DPSU |
|
|
Meath/ Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 (to be launched on 24/09/20) |
|
Roscommon/ Longford |
1 |
|
Laois/ Offaly/ Kildare |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
654. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the refusal of the review of an application by a person (details supplied) will be overturned under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, in view of the fact that the factual basis upon which the decision was made has been refuted by the applicant in a letter to the head of the unit. [24947/20]
View answerThe Immigration Service of my Department advises that the individual referred to was refused a residence card on 22 November 2017, as they were not in compliance with the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. I also understand that the Immigration Service received a request for a review of that decision on 5 December 2017.
Following a thorough analysis of the case, an EU Treaty Rights (EUTR) Review decision was reached, which found that the deciding officer in the initial consideration of this case had not erred in fact or in law in reaching the decision of 22 November 2017. All information available to the deciding officer at the time of the Review decision was fully taken into account. A notification upholding the original decision was issued to the individual concerned on 29 July 2020.
The latest correspondence received from the individual regarding their case, does not appear to contain any new information that would have materially altered my Departments’ consideration in the matter.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
655. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the grounds upon which a deportation order remains valid and in place in respect of the spouse of a person (details supplied) when they are no longer in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24948/20]
View answerThe person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 20 June 2002 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned, pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. Following the consideration of those representations, a decision was taken that the Deportation Order should be affirmed and this decision was communicated to the person concerned by registered post dated 9 November 2017.
It is open to the person concerned to submit further representations requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). However, such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful. To date, no such further representations have been received in this case. The Deportation Order remains valid and in place and the enforcement of the Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
656. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the status of legislation to bring the use of CCTV for Garda investigations into GDPR compliance. [24956/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme to provide for the use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána last year in response to a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. It was decided that the use of body-worn cameras will form part of the wider Garda Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) management strategy to ensure a consistent and standardised approach to the management of all recordings for the purpose of the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. This new legislation will deal with all instances of overt use of recording devices by members of the Gardaí.
The General Scheme is well advanced and many stakeholders have been consulted in the preparation of this draft legislation, including the Data Protection Commissioner, the Policing Authority, GSOC, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. It is intended to submit the draft scheme to Government by the end of October so that it may be published and sent for formal drafting by the Office of the Attorney General.
In relation to the issue of compliance with data protection law, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has responsibility for overseeing compliance with the provisions of the Data Protections Acts. The new legislation will not alter this position but is instead aimed at providing clear criteria and standards for the use of recording devices, including CCTV, by An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy may wish to note that community-based CCTV is currently governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
- have the support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller, and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded. The Data Protection Commissioner has stated that GDPR is not a bar to the operation of these community CCTV schemes. Operational compliance with GDPR is a matter for each data controller.
657. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí stationed in Cabra Garda station in August in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the opening times of this station for these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24980/20]
View answer658. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to open the Cabra Garda station on a full-time basis [24981/20]
View answer659. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars based in Cabra Garda station; the area which they cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24982/20]
View answer660. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the current allocation of gardaí for the area covered by Cabra Garda station; and if she will address the need for additional resources for this area. [24983/20]
View answer661. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the Garda presence available in Cabra after the Cabra Garda station closes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24984/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 to 661, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in decisions on such matters. I am assured, 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 by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. The resources provided have increased by some €330 million since 2016, a 21% increase. This level of investment is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff and as a result, An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. There are now almost 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow. Taken together, this increase in the number of Garda members and staff is delivering a significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide.
The Deputy will be aware that Cabra Garda station is located within the Blanchardstown District within the DMR West Division. The station is currently open between 07.00 hours and 21.00 hours. I am advised that there are currently no plans in place to open Cabra Garda station on a full-time basis. However, I am assured that during the period of closure, the station maintains a Garda presence for security purposes and continues to provide a service to the Cabra Community, in the form of foot patrols, mountain bike patrols and mobile patrols – both in uniform and plain clothes. The table below shows the operating hours of Cabra Garda station for the years in question.
|
-Year |
Opening Hours |
|
2010 - 2011 |
24 Hours |
|
2012 - 2020 |
7am – 9pm, 7 days a week |
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, shows the breakdown of Garda members by rank since 2010.
|
Year |
Division |
Station |
A/C |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Sergt |
Insp |
Garda |
Total |
|
2010 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
1 |
5 |
13 |
80 |
99 |
||
|
2011 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
8 |
61 |
69 |
||||
|
2012 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
10 |
76 |
86 |
||||
|
2013 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
10 |
1 |
69 |
80 |
|||
|
2014 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
8 |
1 |
68 |
77 |
|||
|
2015 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
7 |
1 |
60 |
68 |
|||
|
2016 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
4 |
3 |
54 |
61 |
|||
|
2017 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
4 |
2 |
52 |
58 |
|||
|
2018 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
7 |
1 |
49 |
57 |
|||
|
2019 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
8 |
54 |
62 |
||||
|
2020 |
DMR West |
Cabra |
8 |
54 |
62 |
A detailed breakdown of Garda numbers by Division, District and Station is available on my Department’s website, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. The Information on Garda members may be accessed at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_August_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_August_2020.xlsx
Wider information on the Garda workforce, including Garda staff, is available at the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
The Deputy also sought details in relation to the Garda fleet for Cabra Garda station. I hope the Deputy will appreciate, for security reasons, An Garda Síochána do not provide vehicle allocations by Garda station, however, the following table, conveyed to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the vehicles attached to DMR West Division and Blanchardstown District as at 31 August 2020.
|
Cars |
Vans |
Bikes |
4 x4 |
*Others |
Total |
|
|
Blanchardstown (K) DISTRICT |
39 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
47 |
|
DMR West DIVISION |
79 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
99 |
*The category 'Others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles .
