Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
198. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed at Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown and Rathcoole; the comparable figures for each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42500/17]
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 I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the 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.
I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division.
As the Deputy will be aware, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown and Rathcoole Garda Stations form part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, West Garda Division. I am informed that on 31 August 2017, the total strength of the DMR West Garda Division was 664. There are also 27 Garda Reserves and 47 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of the Division 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.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a 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 plan is progressing well. This year, funding has been provided 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.
I am pleased to announce today that I have secured sufficient funding to provide for the recruitment of another 800 new Garda recruits in 2018, which will ensure that the planned Garda strength of 15,000 by 2021 remains on course to be achieved. Budget 2018 will also facilitate the recruitment of a further 500 civilians and the strengthening of the Reserve.
I am advised by the Commissioner, that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of which 119 were assigned to the DMR West Division and 17 of which were assigned following last September's attestation. I understand that another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year, which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to allow to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the DMR West Division, in the coming years.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services, and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.
I am informed by the Commissioner that as of 31 August 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, the Garda strength of Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown and Rathcoole Garda Stations from 2012 up to 2017 are as set out in the tables below.
Garda Strength by Station 2012-2017
|
Station |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017* |
|
Clondalkin |
95 |
91 |
89 |
87 |
94 |
99 |
|
Lucan |
73 |
72 |
74 |
73 |
74 |
69 |
|
Ronanstown |
93 |
91 |
91 |
94 |
91 |
93 |
|
Rathcoole |
26 |
23 |
23 |
21 |
19 |
15 |
*Up to 31 August 2017
