Vol. 573 No. 1
252 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if PULSE generated statistics determine the allocation of Garda resources; if so, if they are based on quarterly, annual, or other figures; and if not, the determining factors. [24587/03]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the use of PULSE generated statistics is not the sole determining factor in the allocation of resources. Other factors that are considered are: personnel attached to stations, districts, divisions, regions or sections; crime trends or figures; optimum usage; demographics – geographical spread and population etc.; and special operational needs.
I am further informed that the assistant commissioner responsible for human resource management, in consultation with divisional officers, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. He is assisted, in this regard, by a model known as the Garda establishment redistribution model, GERM, which is a scientific, rational and pragmatic model and is the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel. It does not, however, indicate the actual strength of the Garda Síochána, but rather how best to distribute the strength at any given time.
