Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
352. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda inspectors in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the vacancies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12628/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when additional Garda personnel will be allocated to the Cavan and Monaghan Garda division in view of the level of crime in the area and the additional policing demands due to a land border with another jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12629/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the need to provide additional Garda personnel and resources to the Cavan and Monaghan Garda division in view of the particular policing needs of that Border division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12630/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 354, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these 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. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Cavan /Monaghan Division on 31 January 2018, the latest date for which information is currently available, was 329. There are also 11 Garda Reserves and 38 Garda civilian staff attached to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. 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 Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
The Deputy will also be aware that there is close and ongoing cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI on all aspects of policing, with a particular focus on combatting security threats and cross-border crime. The Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, who are responsible for operational policing cooperation, have repeatedly emphasised the scope and the value of the close and high quality cooperation between the two police services in combatting crime, protecting community safety and saving lives. The two police services operate a joint Cross-Border Policing Strategy which has as its aims to improve public safety throughout Ireland, to disrupt criminal activity and to enhance the policing capability of both police services on the island.
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 to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom, I am advised by the Commissioner, 53 have been assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. Garda numbers, taking account of retirements, increased to 13,551 at the end of 2017 – a net increase of over 600 since the end of 2016.
I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. This year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. Also a further 600 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, reach 14,000 by the end of 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training in 2018.
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 deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Division, including the Cavan/Monaghan Division.
Appointments to the rank of Inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the overall strength of the Inspector rank was 264 as of 31 January 2018 with 7 allocated to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. I am further advised by the Commissioner that there is currently a competition in train for promotion to the rank of Inspector with the aim of bringing the strength to 300 as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. I am assured by the Commissioner that following completion of this competition the needs of all Garda Divisions including the Cavan/Monaghan Divisions will be fully considered when determining the allocation of Garda Inspectors.
