Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
139. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current Garda number per 500 head of population for towns (details supplied), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department as the recording of the population of the towns in question is a matter for the Central Statistics Office while Garda resources are allocated on a Divisional basis. I am in any case advised that ratios such as the number of Garda per head population are not an appropriate tool to use when considering the allocation of Garda resources as they fail to take account of, among other things, the fact that crime levels and types can vary significantly among communities of similar population size.
