Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017
162. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for a garda station (details supplied) in County Mayo; and his further plans to restore garda numbers at this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5 year Programme that will benefit over thirty locations around the country and includes over €60million of Exchequer funding as part of Government’s Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 as well as a major Public Private Partnership project. The Programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and the Garda authorities are working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for capital expenditure in this area, to deliver the projects. The Programme does not include provision for any significant building works at Ballyhaunis station.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Ballyhaunis Garda station is in the Claremorris District which forms part of the Mayo Division. As of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of Claremorris District was 90. There are also 5 Garda Reserves and 1 civilian attached to the District. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda Resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. Furthermore, when allocations are taking place, comprehensive consultation is carried out with local Garda management during which all factors are taken into consideration. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government commits the Government to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. A cornerstone of this commitment is the Government plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This year, the Government has provided funding for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves. In order to continue to ensure seamless ongoing recruitment it is expected that a new competition for trainee Garda will be announced shortly.
