Garda Resources

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2018

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ceisteanna (256)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

256. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate with An Garda Síochána whether the level of resources available to the drug squad in the Sligo-Leitrim division are sufficient in order to enable the unit to conduct its objectives properly; the number of staff in the unit; the vehicles assigned to the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26629/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

As 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. 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 further informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Sligo/Leitrim Division on 30 April 2018, the latest date for which information is currently available, was 302 of whom 4 were allocated to the Divisional Drug Unit. There are also 17 Garda Reserves and 31 Garda civilian staff attached to the Sligo/Leitrim 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.

As the Deputy will be aware all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences, crime or otherwise.  I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.

In 2015 the Commissioner, established a new national Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GDOCB), which brought together the Organised Crime Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit so as to create a robust entity to effectively tackle drugs and organised crime, as it currently exists in this country.

The GDOCB leads out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Garda Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level. This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. I am informed that this approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide.

We have also seen unprecedented international cooperation between An Garda Síochána and policing services in other jurisdictions leading to important arrests and drug seizures.

Underpinning all these measures is this Government’s commitment 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. I am further informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just over 1,960 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am pleased to say that 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.

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 he needs to allow him to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units.

I have requested from the Garda Commissioner the specific information sought by the Deputy regarding the number of vehicles  and I will write to him on receipt of same.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 256 which was answered on 19 June 2018. In that question the Deputy had asked whether the level of resources available to the drug squad in the Sligo/Leitrim division are sufficient in order to enable the unit to conduct its objectives properly; the number of staff in the unit and the vehicles assigned to the unit.

The Deputy will recall that some of the information requested - namely the number of vehicles assigned to the drug squad in the Sligo/Leitrim Division - could not be obtained in the time available. I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and to contact the Deputy again when the information was available.

As the Deputy is aware, there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter. I understand from the Garda authorities however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that given the sensitive nature of the duty to which the question relates, they are unable to provide specific detail of the vehicles specifically available. However, the following table provided to me by An Garda Síochána sets out the number of Garda vehicles assigned to Sligo/Leitrim Divisional Fleet as at 28 February, 2019, the latest date for which figures are currently available.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Sligo/Leitrim Divisional Fleet as at 28/02/2019

-	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Others	Total
SLIGO-LEITRIM DIVISION	36	13	2	0	1	52