Barry Cowen
Question:144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí in the Laois-Offaly division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36809/21]
View answerThursday, 8 July 2021
Questions (144)
Written answers
The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained ongoing recruitment into the organisation.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
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 am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 May 2021, there are 13 designated Community Gardaí in the Laois/Offaly Division, including 12 at Garda rank and 1 sergeant.
Again, it is important to note that the official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers to those officers who are exclusively assigned to particular community engagement tasks. In overall terms, however, community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. In this regard, as at 31 May 2021, there were 375 Gardaí assigned to the Laois/Offaly Divison, which represents an increase of 35% since 2015. These Garda members are supported by 38 Garda staff.
This strong focus on community has never been more evident than in the work carried out by all members of the Gardaí as we have tackled the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also fundamental to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which are currently being implemented through A Policing Service for Our Future , including the adoption of the new Garda operating model.