Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1461. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time community gardaí in the Tipperary division; the divisions within Tipperary to which they are allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43876/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am however 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 also understand that the allocation of resources and numbers required locally for Community Policing is solely the responsibility of the Divisional Officer.
I am advised that at 31 July 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 399 Garda members assigned to Tipperary Division. This represents an increase of over 4% since end December 2017 when there were 382 Garda members assigned to the Division.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Tipperary Division at 31 July 2022.
|
Tipperary Division - 31 July 2022 |
District |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
|
Cahir |
56 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
Clonmel |
59 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
76 |
|
|
Nenagh |
69 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
87 |
|
|
Thurles |
92 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
113 |
|
|
Tipperary |
44 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
57 |
|
Total |
|
320 |
63 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
|
399 |
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of full-time Community Gardaí assigned to the Tipperary Division at 31 July 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.
|
Community Gardaí |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
Cahir |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Clonmel |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Nenagh |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Thurles |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
2 |
7 |
9 |
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of full time Garda members categorised as being assigned to Community Policing roles in Tipperary was recently the subject of review and adjustment by Senior Management in the Division, to more accurately reflect the nature of other front line duties carried out by those members during their tours.
The Deputy will also be aware that, to date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those 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.
Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found 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.
The information can be found at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
