Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021
196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if adequate resources will be provided for Garda divisions such as Cavan and Monaghan in view of the unique policing demands in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6322/21]
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 deployment of resources. 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.
An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately over 14,500 Garda members and over 3,100 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to 620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff, subject to the operation of the Garda College under applicable public health restrictions.
I am assured 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.
In the Cavan/Monaghan Division, which services a large part of the border region, I am pleased to advise that that there were 385 Garda members of all ranks as of the end of December 2020, the latest date for which figures are available . This represents an increase of over 17% in Garda numbers since the end of 2017 in the Division, demonstrating An Garda Síochána's commitment to the communities along the Border.
Garda Workforce Information based on data provided by the Garda Commissioner, who has responsibility for the distribution of resources including personnel, is updated on a monthly basis on my Department’s website through the link below:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
