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.
Appointments to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the overall strength of the Sergeant and Inspectors rank was 1,861 and 254 as of 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available. I am further advised by the Commissioner that there is currently competitions in train for promotion to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector with the aim of bringing the strength to 2,000 and 300 respectively, as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. I am assured by the Commissioner that following completion of these competitions the needs of all Garda Divisions including the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division will be fully considered when determining the allocation of Sergeants and Inspectors.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out in tabular form the number of Sergeants and Inspectors in the DMR North Division by Station as of 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available.
Number of Sergeants and Inspectors in the DMR North Division
|
|
|
|
DISTRICT
|
STATION
|
SG
|
IN
|
BALBRIGGAN
|
BALBRIGGAN
|
8
|
2
|
|
LUSK
|
1
|
|
|
SKERRIES
|
1
|
|
|
Total
|
10
|
2
|
BALLYMUN
|
BALLYMUN
|
12
|
4
|
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT
|
4
|
|
|
SANTRY
|
7
|
|
|
Total
|
23
|
4
|
COOLOCK
|
COOLOCK
|
8
|
3
|
|
MALAHIDE
|
4
|
|
|
SWORDS
|
10
|
|
|
Total
|
22
|
3
|
RAHENY
|
CLONTARF
|
6
|
|
|
HOWTH
|
3
|
|
|
RAHENY
|
8
|
1
|
|
Total
|
17
|
1
|
DMR NORTH TOTAL
|
|
72
|
10
|