Garda Deployment

Wednesday, 20 January 2021

Questions (431)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

431. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to each divisional protective services unit as of 11 January 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2734/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters . 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 have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available.

I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER:

I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 431, for answer on 20 January 2021, in which you requested the number of Gardaí by rank attached to each Divisional Protective Services unit as of 11 January 2021 in tabular form.

As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.

Further information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána.

I would inform you that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for the management and administration 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.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Divisional Protective Services Units have been rolled out nationwide. Rollout of these Units meets 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 by An Garda Síochána that as of 11 January 2021, the number of personnel assigned to Divisional Protective Service Units is as set out in the following table:

Garda Region	Garda Division	Insp	Sgt	Gardaí	Total
DMR	DMR East	1	2	10	13
DMR	DMR North Central	1	2	10	13
DMR	DMR North		4	19	23
DMR	DMR South Central	1	3	15	19
DMR	DMR South		4	18	22
DMR (2 x Units)	DMR West	1	4	23	28
Eastern Region	Kildare		1	6	7
Eastern Region	Kilkenny / Carlow	1	2	13	16
Eastern Region	Laois / Offaly		1	6	7
Eastern Region	Meath / Westmeath	1	2	10	13
Eastern Region	Waterford	1	2	13	16
Eastern Region	Wexford		1	4	5
Eastern Region	Wicklow		2	10	12
North Western Region	Cavan / Monaghan	1	2	10	13
North Western Region	Donegal	1	1	5	7
North Western Region	Galway		2	15	17
North Western Region	Louth	1	2	10	13
North Western Region	Mayo		1	8	9
North Western Region	Roscommon / Longford	1	1	5	7
North Western Region	Sligo / Leitrim	1	1	5	7
Southern Region	Clare	1	1	5	7
Southern Region	Cork City	1	2	14	17
Southern Region	Cork West	1	2	10	13
Southern Region	Cork North		2	8	10
Southern Region	Kerry		1	9	10
Southern Region	Limerick	1	1	12	14
Southern Region	Tipperary		1	6	7
TOTAL		16	50	279	345

The resourcing of each Garda region and division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda regions throughout the country, including the Protective Services Units. Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda Resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

The allocation and transfer of Garda Personnel is determined by a number of factors, including crime and non-crime workload, minimum establishment, population, area, policing arrangements, operational strategies and transfers applications, including welfare issues. When allocations are taking place, comprehensive consultation is carried out with Local Garda Management during which all factors are taken into consideration. Where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.

I trust this information is of assistance.