Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if urgent consideration can be given to the provision of a Garda station for areas (detailed supplied) in County Dublin in view of the rapid population growth here; if immediate provision can be made for increased dedicated Garda resources for the areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34508/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is 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.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a result, all works related to the Garda estate involve close cooperation between the OPW and the Garda authorities.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no immediate plans to develop a Garda Station in the Donabate and Portrane area, but local Garda management are conscious of the increasing population of the area and have factored this into the District Policing Plan.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area of interest to the Deputy is policed by Swords Garda station and that dedicated Garda patrols are detailed for that area. The area is also regularly patrolled by Divisional and Regional Roads Policing Units and the Burglary Response Unit.
An Garda Síochána continues to review resources in the DMR North Division to ensure sufficient policing service is provided. The allocation of additional probationer Gardaí from the Garda College to the Coolock District this week will increase An Gardaí Síochána’s presence and effectiveness in the Donabate and Portrane area.
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_September_
2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_September_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.
