Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 July 2018
282. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the Dublin 7 and 15 areas; the number of community gardaí assigned to these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31566/18]
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. 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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. That is why it is important to recognise that the role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
As the Deputy will be aware the areas referred to form part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) West and North Central Divisions. I am informed by the Commissioner that the number of Gardaí assigned to the D.M.R. West Division on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 671 of whom 68 are designated as Community Gardaí. There are also 26 Garda Reserves and 55 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. The number of Gardaí assigned to the D.M.R. North Central Division on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 643 of whom 90 are designated as Community Gardaí. There are also 35 Garda Reserves and 42 Garda civilian staff attached to the 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 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.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 194 and 181 members have been assigned to the to the D.M.R. West Division and the D.M.R. North Central Divisions respectively. Garda numbers in total, 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. Rebuilding the organisation is underway providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across all Garda activities including Community Policing.
For the Deputy’s information I have attached in tabular form the strength of each Division by station and the associated Community Policing strength.
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL 31 MAY 2018
|
District |
Station |
Number of Gardaí |
Of whom are Community Gardaí |
|
BRIDEWELL |
BRIDEWELL |
169 |
12 |
|
FITZGIBBON STREET |
MOUNTJOY |
205 |
36 |
|
STORE STREET |
IMMIGRATION D/DOCKS |
3 |
0 |
|
STORE STREET |
266 |
42 |
D.M.R. WEST 31 MAY 2018
|
District |
Station |
Number of Gardaí |
Of whom are Community Gardaí |
|
Blanchardstown |
Blanchardstown |
166 |
15 |
|
Cabra |
57 |
7 |
|
|
Finglas |
95 |
12 |
|
|
Clondalkin |
Ballyfermot |
82 |
6 |
|
Clondalkin |
96 |
8 |
|
|
Rathcoole |
14 |
1 |
|
|
Lucan |
Lucan |
69 |
8 |
|
Ronanstown |
92 |
11 |
