Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2022
161. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí in County Wicklow; the stations in the county in which they are located in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33151/22]
View answerAs 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 Garda members throughout the State.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Wicklow Division at end December 2017 to end December 2021, and at 31 May 2022 the latest date for which figures are available.
|
Wicklow 31/12/2017 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Bray |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Blessington |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Carnew |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
1 |
13 |
14 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2018 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Bray |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Roundwood |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2019 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2020 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
1 |
9 |
10 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2021 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
1 |
8 |
9 |
|
Wicklow 31/05/2022 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
1 |
5 |
6 |
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
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 optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those members who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
In the interests of transparency, detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country and Community Policing numbers.
The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
