Garda Deployment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2012

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Ceisteanna (51)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

99 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the principles and the reasons underlying Garda staffing deployment across the country; the process by which gardaí are deployed; the reason Garda numbers per head of population vary so much between different Garda divisions; if the current deployment of gardaí accurately reflects any specific, centrally coordinated deployment plan; if he will outline the process by which the annual police plan is developed between his Department and An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I should first of all say that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation, and I have no function in the matter.

I am advised by the Commissioner that, in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors. These of course include population, but also other factors such as workload, response times, crime trends and the overall policing needs of each Division.Garda Management keeps the allocation of all resources, including distribution of personnel, under review to ensure that the most effective policing service possible is provided to the public. The development of the annual policing plan is governed by section 22(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This requires the Commissioner, before November each year, to submit to the Minister a policing plan for the following year. On approval, the Minister must cause a copy of the plan to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The policing plan for 2012 was laid before both Houses on 5 December 2011.