Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:129. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Carrigaline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16200/22]
View answerTuesday, 29 March 2022
Questions (129)
Written answers
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 (as amended). This includes the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the 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 them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation in excess of €2 billion for 2022, which includes funding for the recruitment of up to 800 additional Garda trainees and up to 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe, including in Cork City and County, and to preventing crime in all its forms.
I can inform the Deputy that as of 28 February, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 21 Garda members assigned to Carrigaline Garda Station, an increase of 10.5% since the end of 2015, when there were 19 Gardaí assigned to Carrigaline. In addition, as of 28 February, there was one Garda staff supporting the members in Carrigaline, which remains unchanged since the end of 2015.
The Deputy will be aware that a Garda recruitment campaign closed earlier this month and I am advised that there was a strong interest, with over 10,000 applications received. I hugely welcome this significant response to the recent Garda campaign, indicating, as it does, the widespread respect for the important position that Gardaí occupy in our society, as well as the unique contribution that Gardaí can make to the lives of individuals across the country.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 121.