Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2023
456. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the total number of community gardaí posts nationally, broken down by division, in each of the years 2015 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department publishes a breakdown of Community Gardaí by Division, covering the period form 2008 to 30 November 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. These figures may be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/f69f7-community-policing/
It is important to note 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.
