Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
551. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 868 of 7 November 2023, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this question answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54899/23]
View answerI understand that Parliamentary Question No. 868 of 7 November 2023 refers to the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda water unit as of 31 October 2023; and the corresponding figures as of 31 January 2022, in tabular form.
The unprecedented allocations of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána in both 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. This included provision for high visibility policing through the recruitment of between 800 and 1,000 additional Garda trainees.
As you will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Units. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters.
I am advised, by the Garda authorities, that when consideration is given to the allocation of resources (including newly attested Probationer Gardaí, personnel being allocated to specialist units, e.g. Roads Policing, Community Policing, Divisional Protective Services Units, Divisional Drug Units, etc.) and in facilitating transfers of personnel to/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’.
Also taken into account in the context of the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are 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 am further advised to ensure the continued level of delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions, local and Senior Garda Management are also consulted during the allocation of personnel and are responsible for the specific deployment/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.
I am informed that as of 31 January 2022, there were 17 Garda members attached to the Garda Water Unit. As at of 31 October 2023, there were 15 Garda members assigned to the Unit. These figures include the ranks of Sergeant and Garda.
