Alan Dillon
Question:13. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice how she intends to strengthen community policing in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43518/23]
View answerWednesday, 11 October 2023
Questions (13)
Oral answers (6 contributions)
I am asking this question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Dillon. It relates to the extent to which the Minister proposes to ensure the strengthening of community policing in County Mayo.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and, of course, strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. The best way we can strengthen community policing is by supporting additional recruitment into An Garda Síochána. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and that people feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of up to €2.3 billion in budget 2024, which will allow for between 800 and 1,000 more gardaí to be recruited next year.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. I have had many conversations with him and I know that community policing is at the heart of the Garda. Community policing is fundamental to the new Garda operating model, which is being rolled out and is already fully commenced in seven divisions. Mayo-Roscommon-Longford was one of the first divisions in which it was rolled out in September 2022, with the divisional head office and the chief superintendent located in Castlebar. As of 30 September, the latest date for which figures are available, I am advised that the dedicated community policing unit for Mayo comprises two sergeants and seven gardaí. These dedicated community policing units are assisted by Garda members across the community engagement areas, who act as community gardaí as part of their regular duties.
As part of the roll-out of the new Garda operating model, it is envisaged that in some rural areas existing personnel will form the community policing teams, CPTs. It is important to recognise that they will have dual functions as first responders and CPT members. In addition, CPTs will be augmented by community support gardaí, who will perform front-line duties and be assigned to particular community policing areas to support dedicated community gardaí. In this way, people will know who their gardaí are and be able to contact them directly. The roll-out of CPTs will complement the roll-out of new community safety partnerships, which will be established nationwide in 2024 after the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill is commenced. This will bring together gardaí, members of the community, various agencies and local representatives to work on a plan to serve communities' needs.
The most important measure I can take is to ensure that we have as many gardaí as possible to populate these community teams. In Irish society, people’s relationship with their local community gardaí is an important one.
Given the impact of Covid, which is fully understood, is it possible to indicate how deployments will be prioritised? For instance, are crime levels and security fears likely to benefit from an early response in terms of strengthening policing?
While I cannot give an answer on where members will go, the Garda Commissioner, with his senior management, will consider the number of gardaí graduating from the college, the issues arising in various counties and divisions, overall Garda strength, the overall population and communities’ needs. We will then see resources being deployed.
The most important measure I can take is to ensure that we have a steady flow of members passing through the college in order that as many areas as possible can benefit from the increase in Garda numbers. We are starting to see them benefiting from the momentum that has been built in recruitment. When we get new gardaí, we must ensure that they are supported however possible by making sure that they have the necessary technology, equipment and resources to do their job efficiently and effectively. We must also look after them personally. That is why, in this budget, we have specifically allocated money to help with the roll-out of new well-being programmes and whatever mental health supports they require. Theirs is a difficult job and they often have to face very difficult situations.
Might it be possible to increase the number of people entering Templemore and bring them onto the streets faster than we have been able to do heretofore?
In previous years, the highest number of people going through the college was approximately 1,000. It depends on the number of classes that can go through the college in any given year, which varies from four to five. Five classes will be in or have gone through Templemore this year. Next year, there will most likely be four starting. It is about ensuring that we fill those classes as much as we can. There is probably a maximum capacity of 2,500, which is why I have allocated funding for between 800 and 1,000 this year. This will ensure that if we can get those large numbers into each class, money will not be an issue. The recruitment campaigns must continue in order that we have a steady flow of people coming through. To that end, there will be a new recruitment campaign to build on the one we had in the past year.