Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:954. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of unfilled posts in the Kilkenny-Carlow division, including rank, in tabular form. [16682/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (954)
Written answers
As the Deputy 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 these matters.
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 at 31 March 2023 the latest date for which figures are available, there were 321 Garda members assigned to the Kilkenny/Carlow Division. This represents an increase of 13% since end December 2015 when there were 284 Garda members assigned to the Division.
I am informed that there is no fixed number of resources for the Division and therefore it is difficult to calculate exact figures for vacancies.
I am further informed that when consideration is given to the allocation and transfer of Garda members to and from any Division, account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies
• Minimum establishment statistics
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns
I also understand that local and senior Garda Management are consulted during the allocation of personnel and are responsible for the specific deployment and assignment of duties being undertaken at divisional level.
The situation remains closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the operating model of policing at divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda Resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community.