Written Answers Nos. 415-424
415. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the number of gardaí and their rank, in all stations in County Louth as of December 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3970/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. 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 crime trends and policing priorities.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
There are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of around 9% since 2015. 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide. The Deputy may also be interested to know that 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter Templemore since 2018.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023 there were 392 Garda members assigned to Louth Division, which represents an increase of over 36% since the end of December 2015. The table below provides a breakdown of these Garda members by station and rank.
|
LOUTH DIVISION - 31/12/2023 |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE DISTRICT |
ARDEE |
29 |
5 |
1 |
35 |
|||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
14 |
3 |
17 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL ARDEE DISTRICT |
50 |
9 |
1 |
60 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA DISTRICT |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
2 |
5 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
107 |
17 |
4 |
1 |
129 |
|||
|
DUNLEER |
9 |
2 |
11 |
|||||
|
TOTAL DROGHEDA DISTRICT |
119 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
145 |
|||
|
DUNDALK DISTRICT |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
17 |
2 |
19 |
|||||
|
DUNDALK |
124 |
22 |
6 |
1 |
153 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
3 |
3 |
||||||
|
OMEATH |
3 |
3 |
||||||
|
TOTAL DUNDALK DISTRICT |
154 |
26 |
6 |
1 |
187 |
|||
|
LOUTH DIVISION Total |
323 |
56 |
11 |
2 |
392 |
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
416. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice when the manual for gardaí to pursue scrambler bikes and motorcycles travelling at high speed was last updated. [4054/24]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána are currently guided by the ‘Managed Containment and Stopping of Subject Vehicles’ policy document, which governs the pursuit of motorcycles. I am also advised that this policy document was put in place from 19 September 2019, and that an updated policy document is being drafted, namely the 'Managed Pursuit and Stopping of Subject Vehicles' policy.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has due regard for the safety of all individuals in a public place. The updated 'Managed Containment and Stopping of Subject Vehicles' policy document provides clear guidance for all members, in accordance with best international practice when dealing with motorcyclists who are operating outside the road traffic legislation and who pose a risk to the public and other road users.
417. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the last time the number of horses in the Garda mounted unit was increased. [4085/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that funding is made available to purchase horses as the need arises when a horse is retired and a new one is required. I am informed that 2 horses were purchased in 2023 and that there are currently 13 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit. This is consistent with the number of horses allocated to the Mounted Unit in 2022 and 2023, and there has been no increase in that time.
418. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional detective superintendent post. [4086/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. The Garda Budget is now at its highest ever level. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024 will allow for sustained recruitment of between 800 to 1,000 new Garda recruits in 2024.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to recruitment and training. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the estimated annual payroll cost of one Detective Superintendent is approximately €126,000. This includes the estimated cost of salary, fixed allowances and employer’s PRSI.
I am further advised that salaries are estimated using the midpoint of the current relevant Garda salary scales. Future pension costs and non-pay related costs are not included in the estimated figures.
419. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of new mountain bikes, e-bikes and mopeds that came into the Garda fleet in 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the number of Garda mountain bikes withdrawn from the fleet during 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [4087/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the purchasing and distribution of Garda vehicles. The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need which is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2024. This funding is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, technology and equipment.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the following numbers are reflective of new Garda Mountain bikes, e-bikes and mopeds that came into the Garda Fleet in 2023 and to date in 2024:
|
Mountain Bikes |
E-Bikes |
Mopeds |
|
50 |
8 |
0 |
I am further advised that there are no records currently held of official Garda mountain bikes that have been withdrawn from the fleet.
420. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce a dedicated spiking offence; her plans to make spiking an indictable offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4101/24]
View answerSpiking is a serious offences with potentially devastating effects on victims.
Spiking is already a criminal offence under section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. This provides for a general offence of administering a substance capable of interfering with the victim’s bodily functions. Where spiking is committed with intent to commit a further offence (such as sexual assault or theft), that further offence, or an attempt to commit it, may also be charged.
A number of legislative proposals have been made on this issue, including most recently the introduction of a Private Members’ Bill in the Seanad in May 2023, which proposes a new offence covering the administration of a substance with intent to sedate or overpower for the purposes of engaging in a sexual act, make a gain or cause a loss, or commit any other offence. This PMB has passed the Seanad.
Submissions have been received from the DPP and the Gardaí on the relevant issues and consideration is being given to whether legislative changes are needed.
In December 2021, Minister Harris and I launched an information campaign with the Union of Students of Ireland to raise awareness of the signs of drink ‘spiking’ and to give guidance on how to help a potential victim. The initiative featured on various social media platforms.
This was primarily an information campaign. It gave people information on spiking – for example, what exactly spiking is, what signs to look out for, and what to do if you think you or a friend have been targeted. It also spelled out to perpetrators or potential perpetrators that spiking is a very serious offence. Anyone who may have been a victim or witness of assault or sexual assault is urged to report it to the Gardaí.
I would also urge anyone who has, or may have been, a victim or witness to a spiking incident to report it to the Gardaí.
422. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by division in each of the years 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [4135/24]
View answer424. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the overall allocation to drugs units in each county in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [4137/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 424 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. 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 crime trends and policing priorities.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. Budget 2024 provides a budget of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
There are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of around 9% since 2015. 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide. The Deputy may also be interested to know that 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter Templemore since 2018.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members nationwide at the end of December 2018 up to the end of December 2023, the latest date for when figures are available.
|
DIVISION |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Dec-23 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
381 |
373 |
382 |
368 |
367 |
354 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
715 |
753 |
798 |
778 |
767 |
779 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
665 |
689 |
680 |
660 |
639 |
663 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
551 |
579 |
586 |
572 |
549 |
548 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
648 |
765 |
731 |
710 |
680 |
701 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
709 |
751 |
767 |
738 |
721 |
722 |
|
KILDARE |
380 |
397 |
420 |
422 |
437 |
431 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
365 |
373 |
383 |
375 |
378 |
371 |
|
MEATH |
318 |
319 |
335 |
320 |
316 |
308 |
|
WESTMEATH |
274 |
277 |
273 |
261 |
254 |
252 |
|
WICKLOW |
310 |
308 |
312 |
306 |
308 |
292 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
346 |
388 |
385 |
381 |
377 |
374 |
|
DONEGAL |
404 |
460 |
462 |
450 |
439 |
441 |
|
LOUTH |
348 |
369 |
393 |
392 |
403 |
392 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
297 |
303 |
310 |
292 |
292 |
277 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
339 |
334 |
340 |
334 |
325 |
312 |
|
WATERFORD |
348 |
354 |
377 |
372 |
379 |
374 |
|
WEXFORD |
308 |
320 |
335 |
333 |
342 |
335 |
|
CORK CITY |
721 |
730 |
723 |
730 |
709 |
699 |
|
CORK NORTH |
330 |
335 |
351 |
330 |
333 |
322 |
|
CORK WEST |
303 |
302 |
308 |
297 |
289 |
283 |
|
KERRY |
335 |
344 |
351 |
351 |
345 |
336 |
|
LIMERICK |
607 |
612 |
601 |
593 |
594 |
585 |
|
GALWAY |
614 |
621 |
623 |
606 |
618 |
618 |
|
CLARE |
318 |
309 |
314 |
313 |
306 |
N/A |
|
TIPPERARY |
387 |
380 |
411 |
398 |
391 |
N/A |
|
CLARE/TIPPERARY |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
674 |
|
MAYO |
339 |
339 |
343 |
330 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
318 |
312 |
315 |
298 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
616 |
602 |
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023 there were 326 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, this includes 278 Gardaí, 42 Sergeants and 6 Inspectors. This represents an increase of almost 47% since the end of December 2018 when there were 222 Garda members assigned to these units.
|
Divisional Drugs Units |
Dec-18 |
Dec-19 |
Dec-20 |
Dec-21 |
Dec-22 |
Dec-23 |
|
D.M.R.S.C. |
12 |
17 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
15 |
|
D.M.R.N.C |
15 |
12 |
19 |
12 |
31 |
24 |
|
D.M.R.N. |
19 |
19 |
30 |
28 |
29 |
23 |
|
D.M.R.E. |
9 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
|
D.M.R.S. |
16 |
18 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
|
D.M.R.W. |
11 |
7 |
22 |
26 |
20 |
27 |
|
Waterford |
6 |
15 |
14 |
17 |
14 |
15 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
5 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
8 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
7 |
7 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
|
Cork City |
18 |
14 |
15 |
23 |
19 |
17 |
|
Cork North |
5 |
5 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
|
Cork West |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
11 |
10 |
15 |
15 |
12 |
|
Limerick |
12 |
10 |
19 |
19 |
22 |
23 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
6 |
18 |
21 |
5 |
7 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
4 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
6 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
|
Louth |
2 |
4 |
13 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
|
Clare |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Galway |
9 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
10 |
21 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
3 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
8 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
|
Meath |
6 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
|
Kildare |
11 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
13 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
|
Total |
222 |
231 |
306 |
315 |
311 |
326 |
I am advised that Cavan/Monaghan Division has merged with Louth Division under the Operating Model. I am further advised that the Drugs Unit in Louth /Cavan/Monaghan Division will be allocated approximately 22 Garda members, making it the sixth largest Divisional Drugs Unit in the country.
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
423. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the number of new recruits to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in the corresponding timeframe; and the number of resignations from An Garda Síochána. [4136/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
This is reflected in the allocation of over €2.3 billion in Budget 2024 to An Garda Síochána, a 23% increase since 2020. This funding provides for 800-1000 new Garda recruits across 2024, with the aim of growing the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 and beyond.
There has also been a significant increase in the training allowance paid to trainees to €305 per week, and the maximum age of recruitment has been increased from 35 to 50.
The Government will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including to invest in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings.
Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College during Covid-19, with 746 trainees entering Templemore last year. A new Garda recruitment competition launched on 15 January and will help ensure a steady pipeline of recruits entering Templemore in the near future. The total intake of 746 for 2023 represents a six-fold increase on the 2022 intake of 116. It is the highest intake into the Garda College since 2018.
The table below sets out the number of Gardaí attested by year since 2018 up to end of 2023. I expect the number of recruits in 2024 will increase further with high numbers going through the Garda College at present.
|
Year |
Intake to phase 1 total |
Attested in year |
|
2018 |
799 |
789 |
|
2019 |
600 |
605 |
|
2020 |
275 |
522 |
|
2021 |
384 |
148 |
|
2022 |
116 |
370 |
|
2023 |
746 |
388 |
|
Total |
2,920 |
2,822 |
The table below sets out the number of Garda retirements and resignations from 2018 up to 2023, and to date in 2024. These figures include Voluntary Retirements, Compulsory Retirements and Cost Neutral Early Retirements.
|
Year |
Retirements (Voluntary, Compulsory, Early) |
Resign |
Total |
|
2018 |
218 |
77 |
295 |
|
2019 |
223 |
72 |
295 |
|
2020 |
250 |
70 |
320 |
|
2021 |
294 |
94 |
388 |
|
2022 |
340 |
109 |
449 |
|
2023 |
319 |
169 |
488 |
|
2024 up to 26 January |
16 |
16 |
32 |
|
Total |
1,660 |
607 |
2,267 |
It is worth noting that all information supplied is operational and subject to change.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
