Written Answers Nos. 706-721
706. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of core unit gardaí attached to the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018 by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [32791/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra707. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Louth division by rank in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [32792/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the full complement of gardaí in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by district and sub-district. [32795/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra711. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian staff attached to the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018 by division, district and sub-district in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32796/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 706, 707, 710 and 711 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.
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.
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 as new Garda recruits come on stream. The work of local Gardaí is also 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 and these specialist units are also receiving significant investment.
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. 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 year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College and we are on track to 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 and I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the overall vision for 2021 remains on track.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the table below, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
708. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [32793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere 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. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. Indeed from 2013 to 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
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 Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no role in that matter.
I understand that Garda management keeps the 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. The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each division is assigned to the divisional officer, who may allocate vehicles between districts and stations as required by operational requirements.
The tables attached set out information requested in relation to the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Louth Division. I am advised by An Garda Síochána, that for operational reasons, this information is provided at division and district level only.
713. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda youth diversion projects in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the areas in which they are located. [32798/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following Garda Youth Diversion Projects were in operation from 2009 to date in the Louth Garda Division:
|
County |
PROJECT |
AREA |
|
LOUTH |
HIGH VOLTAGE |
DUNDALK |
|
|
TEAM |
DUNDALK |
|
|
BOYNE |
DROGHEDA |
|
|
CABLE |
DROGHEDA |
714. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the regional support unit by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32799/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra715. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the emergency response unit, by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32800/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra716. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the special detective unit by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32801/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra724. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to specialist units in the Louth division. [32809/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra729. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the technical bureau by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32814/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra731. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32816/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra732. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32817/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra733. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra734. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32819/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra735. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32820/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra736. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32821/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 714 to 716, inclusive, 724, 729 and 731 to 736, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.
For the Deputy's information the attached table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that these are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the Special Detective Unit (SDU) is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit, is also part of SDU.
I am advised by the Commissioner that for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU and the Regional Support Units cannot be provided.
Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2018
|
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
IN |
SG |
GD |
TOTAL |
|
|
Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
20 |
88 |
114 |
|
Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
17 |
23 |
|
Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
16 |
47 |
68 |
|
Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
15 |
62 |
81 |
|
Garda National Protective Services Bureau |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
17 |
41 |
63 |
|
Garda National Technical Bureau |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
49 |
68 |
|
Criminal Assets Bureau |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
31 |
42 |
720. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the community relations unit by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32805/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra725. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dedicated community gardaí attached to the Louth division and each district within it. [32810/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 720 and 725 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather all Gardaí engage in community policing while carrying out their normal duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda refers to those exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society which includes giving talks to schools, community groups and others.
I am assured by the Commissioner that the Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime. The model advocates a partnership based, community based style of policing to prevent and deter crime and works through initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, Text Alert and the Garda Schools Programme as well as through more formal structures such as Joint Policing Committees. While building trust and enhancing the quality of life of the community each Garda Division’s specialist Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) are trained to encourage, promote and advise on crime prevention. The objectives of the community policing model include high visibility in the community, ease of contact by members of the public, and enhanced support for crime prevention strategies.
The National Community Policing Office which is attached to the Garda Community Engagement Bureau, captures best practice in community policing initiatives and disseminates these practices through its communication network.
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.
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 as new Garda recruits come on stream.
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. 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 year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College and we are on track to 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 and I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the overall vision for 2021 remains on track.
The attached table, as supplied by the Commissioner, sets out the latest figures for Community Gardaí by Division and Station.
Louth Division Community Gardaí 31 May 2018
|
Station |
Gardaí |
Of whom are Community Gardaí |
|
Ardee |
26 |
0 |
|
Castlebellingham |
2 |
0 |
|
Collon |
5 |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
0 |
|
Clougherhead |
2 |
0 |
|
Drogheda |
105 |
5 |
|
Dunleer |
5 |
0 |
|
Blackrock |
4 |
0 |
|
Carlingford |
4 |
0 |
|
Drumad |
7 |
0 |
|
Dundalk |
145 |
6 |
|
Hackballcross |
4 |
0 |
|
Omeath |
2 |
0 |
Garda Bureau of Community Engagement 31 May 2018
|
Rank |
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
IN |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
12 |
4 |
21 |
