Alan Dillon
Question:301. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Mayo division from 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36932/21]
View answerThursday, 8 July 2021
Questions (301)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of Garda business, which includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in this independent function.
As of 31 May 2021 there were 335 Gardaí assigned to the Mayo Division, which represents an increase of 10.6% since 2015. These Garda members are supported by 50 Garda staff.
As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda numbers nationwide can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health restrictions has also, exceptionally, had an impact across the country over the past year. As such, there has been a decrease in the number of Gardaí assigned to Mayo Division from 339 Gardaí in May 2019 to 335 in May 2021.
However, recruitment, which had to be paused due to the pandemic, has recently recommenced with 150 Garda trainees entering the Garda College on 24 May, the first of four intakes and a revised planned total of 450 for the year. The remaining scheduled commencement dates, subject to public health restrictions, are 19 July 2021, 20 September 2021 and 15 November 2021.
This continuing recruitment forms an important component in the unprecedented and sustained level of investment being made in Garda resources in recent years, and is equipping the organisation to meet community needs throughout the country.