Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2018
35. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers within the Donegal division to date; his plans for improving Garda numbers within the county in the years ahead; his plans for maintaining and improving Garda stations within the county; if he will consider designating Glenties station to its former district status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWill the Minister for Justice and Equality update the House on the current situation on Garda numbers in Donegal, the programme for the maintenance and improvement of Garda stations and the consideration that is to be given to the Glenties Garda station, which was a former district headquarters, and if this should be reopened?
The distribution of Garda personnel, including the allocation of newly attested gardaí, is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
I am informed by the acting Garda Commissioner that, as of 30 April 2018, the most recent date for which figures are available, the strength of the Donegal division was 394. When appropriate, the work of local gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units, namely, the national bureau of criminal investigation, the armed support unit, the national economic crime bureau and the national drugs and organised crime bureau.
I assure the Deputy that the 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 make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, including 15,000 Garda members.
The Deputy will be aware that in 2010 a previous Government closed the Garda College at Templemore and imposed a moratorium. The measures imposed at that time had a negative impact on Garda numbers across all divisions and the legacy of these decisions continues to have consequences for policing. When it had brought about an early exit from the bailout and stabilised the public finances in September 2014, the then Government reopened the college. Since then, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and are performing mainstream duties nationwide. A total of 32 of these officers have been assigned to the Donegal division.
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 complement of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track.
I have no doubt about the Minister's commitment to ensuring that Donegal would receive a fair and equitable share of gardaí. In 2009, Donegal had 488 gardaí. The Minister gives the most recent figure as 294, down approximately 20% since 2009. I know there have been difficulties over the years but the Minister hopes to have a total of 21,000 gardaí by 2021. There have been 1,800 recruits attested since 2014 and this year, 800 will attest. We have received only an insignificant number of those. While it may not be the Minister's responsibility, he has a duty to at least speak with the Garda authorities and tell them that I and many others have raised this matter in the Dáil. We are seeking additional gardaí for a county that has a few kilometres of border with the South, while, in the context of the North, we will have to deal with Brexit. In addition, there is our Atlantic coastline and the fact that we fear it might be used to bring drugs into the country. Donegal is different from the rest of the country. I would like the Minister to speak to the acting Commissioner or the relevant assistant or deputy commissioner and ask them to give specific consideration to Donegal.
I welcome the fact that there is a pipeline of recruits to An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware that only last week the acting Commissioner introduced a recruitment plan which closes on 6 June. The focus on and investment in personnel are critical. We are now rebuilding the organisation, providing the acting Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí. The ongoing nature of the recruitment will undoubtedly support Garda activities across all regions, with enhanced visibility within communities, and will enable the acting Commissioner to provide additional resources to parts of the country such Deputy Gallagher's constituency in Donegal. This can happen as the new Garda recruits come on stream.
Are the 1,400 or 800 recruits net, taking retirements into consideration? That looks very good but I doubt whether it is the case. I presume the Minister has given us the gross number.
The refurbishment of the Garda station in Donegal town is absolutely necessary. I am pleased that progress will be made. Donegal town also has a problem with numbers. The Glenties station has been there all my life. To access the two divisional headquarters one has to go right around the whole Wild Atlantic Way, the N56 from Ballyshannon. The deputy commissioner with responsibility for policing and security should examine this closely with a view to reopening the Glenties station which served the Gaeltacht areas for many years.
In respect of Glenties Garda station and its former status as a district headquarters for the area, it should be noted that the designation of these stations is a matter for the deputy commissioner, in conjunction with the local district and divisional officers, having regard to the policing requirements of Glenties and the surrounding communities. I can however confirm that the Garda building and refurbishment programme includes the full upgrade and refurbishment of the Garda station in Donegal town. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Office of Public Works, OPW, has advised that the tender documents are being prepared and it is expected that this project will be tendered in autumn of this year.
There is no doubt that the increase in Garda numbers is very welcome. In Tubbercurry, a Garda station was built for a sergeant and two gardaí but there are now two sergeants, eight gardaí and two bean gardaí, which is totally unsuitable. There is a building next door to the Garda station that is up for sale. It was used by the national Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais, CLÁR, office which employed 110 people and housed them in two buildings. It is an ideal building. The OPW intends purchasing land to renovate the Garda station to make it more suitable for the staff there. This is an ideal opportunity. The building is being sold by the bank and could be bought at an opportune price to accommodate the badly-needed new Garda station.
I acknowledge the importance of what Deputy Scanlon says now that the numbers of Garda Síochána are increasing, towards the target of 21,000 by 2021 because there will be consequences. One of the consequences is the need for increased facilities, one of which is the Garda stations, bricks and mortar. I would be happy to engage with the Deputy on an update on Tubbercurry Garda station, particulars of which I do not have to hand.
The Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, will carry out a detailed review of the dispersal and use of resources in delivering policing services to the communities. What might be required for a large urban area, such as Dublin or Galway, may well be different for Deputy Gallagher in Donegal or Deputy Scanlon in Sligo but I will be happy to communicate with an update on the issue of Tubbercurry Garda station and to keep the House fully informed on the ongoing developments in the review between the Policing Authority and the Garda Inspectorate.
