Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
77. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí redeployed from Kildare to Dublin to support gardaí during the tragic events of Thursday, 23 November 2023; if, on days subsequent to that, the redeployments were voluntary in nature; and what the payment structure was for same redeployment. [54883/23]
View answerI commend all Garda members and emergency services for their quick response to the rioting and violent disorder in Dublin on 23 November.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is, by law, operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources and as Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I do however engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.
Garda members and emergency services responded quickly and effectively in the wake of the attack and disorder in Dublin on 23 November. Over 400 members of An Garda Síochána, were deployed on patrol in Dublin City Centre, including front-line uniformed Gardaí, supported by over 220 Public Order Gardaí – the highest ever number in public order uniforms.
This enabled the Gardaí to bring order to the city. Members came from right across the country and in a very short space of time.
As of the end of October 2023 there were 428 Garda members assigned to the Kildare Division, which is an increase of over 12% since the end of December 2018, when there were 380 Gardaí in the Division.
In addition, there are 32 Garda Staff members assigned to the Kildare Division. Garda staff provide vital administrative support and help free up Garda members to focus on front line duties.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that due to the manner in which such costs are recorded, the relevant information is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.
