Aindrias Moynihan
Question:93. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the progress being made in advancing the new policing model for Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33991/23]
View answerTuesday, 11 July 2023
Questions (93)
Written answers
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities. Everyone, no matter where in the country they live, deserves to be safe and to feel safe. This is central to the Government’s community safety policy.As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business and he determines the distribution of Gardaí throughout the State. I do not have a role in these matters. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) recognised that community safety is not solely the responsibility of the Gardaí, or my Department, but rather, it is a whole of Government responsibility.The Deputy may be aware that a number of actions are in progress under 'A Policing Service For Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the recommendations of the CoFPI report.
This includes the Garda Commissioner's roll out of the new Garda Operating model, which seeks to release front-line Gardaí from roles that can be effectively carried out by civilian Garda staff. The purpose of the new operating model is to increase Garda visibility, community engagement and the deployment of specialist services throughout the country, and seeks to reflect and address the realities of modern-day policing.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, under the Operating Model, the current Cork North and Cork West Divisions will amalgamate in the future to form the Cork County Division.
Planning for the implementation of the Operating Model is progressing for the Cork County Division and precise dates will be agreed with the division in the coming months subject to their readiness to proceed.
Under the new Model, each Division (including the new Cork County Division) will be comprised of the four following Functional Areas:
• Community Engagement under the leadership of a Superintendent
• Crime under the leadership of a Detective Superintendent
• Performance Assurance under the leadership of a Superintendent
• Business Services under the leadership of an Assistant Principal (Garda Staff)
Implementation of the Operating Model in the Cork County Division will initially focus on establishing the Business Services Functional Area which will reduce the amount of administrative activities held by Garda members at present in the Division. In addition, planning permission for the new Divisional Headquarters for Cork County Division based in Macroom, Co Cork has been granted and the station has been decoupled from the PPP bundle to allow the project to progress faster.
Separately, the Cork City Division established each of the Functional Areas under the Operating Model listed above on 7 August 2022.