Gerald Nash
Question:1152. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice when a review of the Garda divisional boundaries pertaining to south County Louth and east County Meath will be completed. [31551/21]
View answerTuesday, 15 June 2021
Questions (1152)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, for the management and administration of Garda business. Under the Act, the Commissioner is also responsible for determining the distribution and stationing of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am assured 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, the 'Drogheda: Building a Bridge to a Better Future' report recently published by Minister McEntee, and carried out by Mr Vivian Geiran, a former director of the Probation Service, recommends that exploration of how to address the issue of the impact of the county boundaries of Louth and Meath, and the corresponding delineation between Garda Districts/Divisions, specifically in relation to the policing of the Laytown-Bettystown area of East Meath, be undertaken.
My Department has been liaising with An Garda Síochána on this matter and with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the impact on Drogheda of the intersection of the county boundaries of Louth and Meath. An implementation plan for the report is due to be published shortly.
The Deputy may wish to further note that An Garda Síochána continues to roll out the new Garda Operating Model on a phased basis across the country including in the Meath Division. The new operating model will deliver on a key recommendation for Garda reform by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána by providing more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.