Thomas Gould
Question:1577. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the current Garda to population ratio by district. [40829/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (1577)
Written answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy, which regrettably was not available in the timeframe available. I will write to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 1577 of 26 July 2022 where you sought:
‘the current Garda to population ratio by district’
As you will recall, I had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand. The delay in responding is regretted.
As you will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.
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.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the Preliminary figures as provided by CSO for Census 2022, per county. I am further advised that a breakdown by sub district is not available at this time, and that the full set of Census 2022 results will be published between April and December 2023.
Garda Strengths as on 30/09/2022. CSO Preliminary Population figures 2022
|
County |
Garda Strength 30/09/2022 |
Ratio - 1 member per |
Preliminary 2022 figures |
|
CARLOW |
112 |
553 |
61,931 |
|
CAVAN |
205 |
394 |
81,201 |
|
CLARE |
310 |
411 |
127,419 |
|
CORK TOTAL (City, North, West) |
1,343 |
433 |
581,231 |
|
DMR Total (North, N Central, South, S Central, East, West) |
3,901 |
372 |
1,450,701 |
|
DONEGAL |
447 |
372 |
166,321 |
|
GALWAY |
619 |
447 |
276,451 |
|
KERRY |
349 |
445 |
155,258 |
|
KILDARE |
441 |
560 |
246,977 |
|
KILKENNY |
221 |
469 |
103,685 |
|
LAOIS |
217 |
422 |
91,657 |
|
LEITRIM |
105 |
334 |
35,087 |
|
LIMERICK |
600 |
342 |
205,444 |
|
LONGFORD |
139 |
335 |
46,634 |
|
LOUTH |
408 |
341 |
139,100 |
|
MAYO |
319 |
430 |
137,231 |
|
MEATH |
331 |
666 |
220,296 |
|
MONAGHAN |
176 |
368 |
64,832 |
|
OFFALY |
163 |
507 |
82,668 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
160 |
437 |
69,995 |
|
SLIGO |
190 |
367 |
69,819 |
|
TIPPERARY |
400 |
419 |
167,661 |
|
WATERFORD |
382 |
333 |
127,085 |
|
WESTMEATH |
252 |
380 |
95,840 |
|
WEXFORD |
340 |
481 |
163,527 |
|
WICKLOW |
310 |
502 |
155,485 |
As you 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 response to the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an exceptional impact across the country over the past two years.