Written Answers Nos. 998-1017
1000. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the operational support services, in the Meath division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34458/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda National Operational Support Unit is composed of the following Specialist Support Units:
- Air Support Unit;
- Dog Unit;
- Mounted Unit; and
- Water Unit.
These are national units that support the work of all the Garda Divisions and data is therefore only available at national level.
For the Deputy's information, the following table, as supplied by the Commissioner, sets out the latest figures as requested.
Garda National Operational Support Services 2009-2018*
|
YEAR |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
DC |
TOTAL |
|
2009 |
57 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
66 |
|
2010 |
55 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
63 |
|
2011 |
53 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
64 |
|
2012 |
53 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
63 |
|
2013 |
53 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
62 |
|
2014 |
49 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
57 |
|
2015 |
47 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
56 |
|
2016 |
48 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
57 |
|
2017 |
62 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
76 |
|
2018* |
62 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
74 |
*Up to 31 May 2018
1001. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if adequate resources will be provided for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains in view of the important and sensitive work of this commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34476/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' remains was established in 1999 by the Irish and British Governments as one element of the suite of initiatives taken by them in the context of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The purpose of the Commission, as the Deputy is aware, is to facilitate the recovery, and return to their families, of the remains of persons killed by paramilitaries during the conflict in Northern Ireland and buried secretly – these victims are known as "the Disappeared". The Commission is completely independent in its functions and its mission is humanitarian in its objectives. It has always enjoyed cross-party and cross-community support. I am aware that Deputy Smith and others in this House have had a long standing interest in the work of the Commission.
I can assure the Deputy and, indeed, the families of the Disappeared that the Commission's investigation team has and will continue to have the necessary support and resources to carry out their work. However, it is information that is crucial to the Commission’s success. The receipt of information is the Commission's greatest asset and the pursuit of information remains the greatest challenge. It is now over forty years since the last three victims disappeared and the passage of time creates obvious difficulties for accessing relevant information.
I appeal to anybody with information which may help to locate the remains of any of the victims to provide it, in confidence, to the Commission using the freephone number or PO Box address which are detailed on the ICLVR webpage. All information provided to the Commission is treated as strictly confidential and by law it shall only be used to locate and identify the remains.
I can assure the families of my and the Government's continued full support for this ongoing humanitarian work.
1002. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of extra gardaí who have been hired in preparation for a hard Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34486/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with all Ministers, including myself, to address the many challenges of Brexit.
I do want to emphasise, however, that it is this Government’s firm intention that the same border arrangements as currently apply on the island of Ireland will continue. In its approach to the Brexit negotiations, the Government has ensured that protecting the gains of the Peace Process and the avoidance of a hard border is a high priority for Ireland, our partner Member States and the EU Commission.
As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel. Garda management keep the distribution of resources under active review to meet operational and security demands, including any possible policing requirements post Brexit. In that respect, I met with the Garda Commissioner and his team recently to discuss Brexit contingency planning and I am assured that An Garda Síochána is preparing for Brexit with a wide-ranging focus to determine operational requirements, including personnel and technology. I am assured that An Garda Síochána will continue to progress their contingency preparations, and is committed to ensuring the organisation is prepared for the associated policing implications and challenges arising therefrom.
My Department is engaged on an on-going basis with An Garda Síochána as part of the deep and detailed work being undertaken right across Government and the public sector in response to the UK's decision to leave the EU. Indeed, in June Department officials and a senior member of An Garda Síochána met with the European Commission in Brussels to discuss North-South cooperation in the areas of law enforcement and police and judicial cooperation. Furthermore, An Garda Síochána is represented at a senior level in the ongoing discussions between my Department and the UK's Home Office in relation to the Common Travel Area.
An Garda Síochána works very closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in combating cross-border crime. This ongoing close co-operation, across the full range of policing responsibilities of both services, will continue in place regardless of the final shape of Brexit. Joint working is central to the shared objectives of An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to combat crime of all sorts and to promote community safety on the island of Ireland. There are many collaborative policing initiatives in place including the cross border policing strategy, updated and published by both police services in 2016, the annual cross border policing seminar on organised crime as well as formal protocols for secondments and exchanges between the two jurisdictions. In November 2015, the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive agreed a series of measures in the agreement A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan, as part of a concerted and enhanced effort to tackle organised and cross jurisdictional crime. These measures included the creation of the Joint Agency Task Force, which builds on existing law enforcement frameworks and to increase the collective effectiveness of operational law enforcement actions. These examples of the intensification of police co-operation are driven by a shared imperative to ensure normalisation in the security and policing environment, to promote reconciliation and to enhance community safety for all communities on the island. It is important that strong political leadership is in place to drive these initiatives on both sides of the border. In this regard I am sure that the Deputy will join me in calling for the full restoration of the Executive in Stormont as a matter of urgency.
I want to assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána has the full support of the Government in dealing with the implications of Brexit and will provide whatever resources are required to keep our people and our communities safe. This is clearly demonstrated by the Government 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 193 have been assigned to the Northern Garda Region. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities and will enable the Commissioner to deploy additional resources to meet the challenges of Brexit, should he deem it necessary.
1003. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a mechanism by which a person who has pleaded guilty to a crime he or she did not commit who wishes to vacate his or her guilty plea on the basis that his or her legal representation did not represent him or her adequately and advised him or her wrongly to plead guilty and wishes the case to be re-tried; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34491/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the position is that the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge.
Any entitlement in relation to such matters depends on the circumstances of each case and the legal advice given in light of those circumstances having regard to the appeal review mechanisms as set out in primary legislation.
As you will appreciate both the Department and the Courts Service are precluded from offering legal advice in such matters.
1004. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure and requirements for obtaining a visa for a person married to an Irish citizen in circumstances in which the non-citizen has never resided here and in which the marriage took place outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34492/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that certain nationals are required to obtain a visa in order to travel to Ireland. The person concerned should apply for a Join Family visa if the purpose of their journey is to reside in Ireland with their Irish citizen spouse.
The INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie) contains comprehensive guidelines to assist the applicant with the application process. The information available includes the Policy Document of Non-EEA Family Reunification which sets out the general considerations for such applications. It should, however, be noted that the information contained on the website is intended to provide guidance only and does not limit the discretion of the Visa Officer in dealing with individual applications. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that any visa sought should be granted.
Join Family applications, where the sponsor is an Irish national, will typically be dealt with within 6 months of receipt of all the required documentation, as set out in the Policy Document. This is a business target which reflects the detailed assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. It does not constitute a legal obligation and applications may take longer due to the individual circumstances or complexity of the application.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
1005. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of core unit gardaí attached to the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [34493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following link, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
1006. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Dublin northern metropolitan region by rank for each year from 2009 to date by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [34494/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following link, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
1007. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [34495/18]
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 following tables set out information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Dublin Metropolitan Region North. I am advised by An Garda Síochána, that for operational reasons, this information is provided at Division and District level only.
|
2018 (as at 18 July) |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
9 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
|
BALLYMUN |
30 |
17 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
52 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
21 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
RAHENY-J |
17 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2018 |
77 |
27 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
9 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
|
BALLYMUN |
33 |
19 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
57 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
22 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
RAHENY-J |
19 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2017 |
83 |
27 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
BALLYMUN |
36 |
24 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
68 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
23 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
|
RAHENY-J |
19 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2016 |
86 |
33 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
|
|
2015 |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
10 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
BALLYMUN |
36 |
21 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
61 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
20 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2015 |
88 |
29 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
|
BALLYMUN |
35 |
17 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
58 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
27 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
|
RAHENY-J |
18 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
21 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2014 |
88 |
24 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
119 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
BALLYMUN |
30 |
16 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
53 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
|
RAHENY-J |
15 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2013 |
76 |
25 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
BALLYMUN |
33 |
18 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
59 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2012 |
83 |
26 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
BALLYMUN |
35 |
17 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
63 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
30 |
|
RAHENY-J |
18 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
21 |
|
Total for DMR North Division 2011 |
87 |
23 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
124 |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that figures for the years 2009 and 2010 are available only on a Divisional basis, as set out in the following table.
|
DMR North |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycle |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
100 |
26 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
140 |
|
2010 |
94 |
25 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
132 |
1009. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the full complement of gardaí in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date by district and sub-district. [34497/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following link, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
1010. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian staff attached to the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date by division, district and sub-district in tabular form. [34498/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following table, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
Garda Civilian Staff by Division 2010-2018
|
Station |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
May-18 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
37 |
33 |
32 |
31 |
28 |
30 |
28 |
63 |
68 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
44 |
43 |
40 |
42 |
39 |
38 |
38 |
43 |
42 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
52 |
49 |
47 |
48 |
46 |
44 |
43 |
39 |
43 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
22 |
22 |
25 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
34 |
33 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
28 |
34 |
36 |
36 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
53 |
53 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
47 |
47 |
52 |
55 |
|
Waterford |
33 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
29 |
26 |
28 |
30 |
33 |
|
Wexford |
29 |
28 |
28 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
32 |
32 |
|
Tipperary |
38 |
37 |
36 |
34 |
35 |
32 |
36 |
41 |
41 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
25 |
26 |
27 |
27 |
27 |
27 |
30 |
31 |
33 |
|
Cork City |
63 |
63 |
63 |
61 |
61 |
58 |
58 |
70 |
71 |
|
Cork North |
25 |
25 |
24 |
26 |
25 |
25 |
28 |
31 |
33 |
|
Cork West |
26 |
24 |
26 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
24 |
26 |
27 |
|
Kerry |
33 |
33 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
36 |
36 |
|
Limerick |
53 |
54 |
52 |
50 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
52 |
54 |
|
Donegal |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
31 |
36 |
35 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
38 |
38 |
38 |
37 |
38 |
38 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
27 |
26 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
27 |
25 |
31 |
31 |
|
Louth |
24 |
25 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
26 |
31 |
|
Clare |
35 |
35 |
33 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
33 |
|
Mayo |
34 |
35 |
33 |
34 |
33 |
33 |
34 |
32 |
34 |
|
Galway |
45 |
47 |
46 |
47 |
45 |
46 |
46 |
49 |
60 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
26 |
26 |
26 |
27 |
26 |
26 |
28 |
29 |
32 |
|
Westmeath |
23 |
23 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
21 |
24 |
24 |
|
Meath |
27 |
28 |
27 |
27 |
27 |
26 |
27 |
30 |
30 |
|
Kildare |
30 |
30 |
31 |
30 |
29 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
25 |
25 |
20 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
22 |
25 |
25 |
|
Wicklow |
25 |
24 |
24 |
22 |
23 |
22 |
23 |
26 |
27 |
1013. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the regional support unit in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date in tabular form. [34501/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following 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 |
1014. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the emergency response unit in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date in tabular form. [34502/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following 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 |
1015. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the special detective unit in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date in tabular form. [34503/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 following 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 |
1016. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the operational support unit in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date in tabular form. [34504/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda National Operational Support Unit is composed of the following Specialist Support Units:
- Air Support Unit;
- Dog Unit;
- Mounted Unit; and
- Water Unit.
These are national that units support the work of all the Garda Divisions and data is therefore only available at national level.
For the Deputy's information, the following table, as supplied by the Commissioner, sets out the latest figures as requested.
Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2018
|
YEAR |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
DC |
TOTAL |
|
2009 |
57 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
66 |
|
2010 |
55 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
63 |
|
2011 |
53 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
64 |
|
2012 |
53 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
63 |
|
2013 |
53 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
62 |
|
2014 |
49 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
57 |
|
2015 |
47 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
56 |
|
2016 |
48 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
57 |
|
2017 |
62 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
76 |
|
2018* |
62 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
74 |
*Up to 31 May 2018
1017. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the traffic corps unit in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date in tabular form. [34505/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
Following an internal examination of the role and function of the Divisional Garda Traffic Corps they were renamed as Divisional Garda Road Policing Units to reflect the role the Units will play in denying criminals the use of the roads network. In addition to their focus on the lifesaver offences of speeding, seatbelts, mobile phones and driving under the influence, they also focus on crime prevention and crime detection.
It is important to note that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána. The Divisional Roads Policing units work closely with other Divisional units to target known criminals and to disrupt their activities through strict enforcement of road traffic legislation.
The Commissioner established the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (GNRPB) which is responsible for the oversight and strategic management of policing our roads network and for ensuring a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. I am pleased to say that I obtained sanction for a number of additional posts for the GNRPB, including: an Assistant Commissioner to head it up; a Chief Superintendent responsible for Roads Planning and Major Event Management; and two specialist posts at Superintendent rank, one for Roads Policing and one for Major Event Management.
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. Budget 2018 supports the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of Roads Policing Units nationwide is currently at 680 including 87 that were assigned in the first quarter of this year following completion of regional competitions for assignment to roads policing duties. A further 63 will be assigned by year end.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the following table, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
TRAFFIC CORPS 2009 -2018
|
DIVISION |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
May-18 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
18 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
14 |
9 |
9 |
13 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
27 |
22 |
21 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
22 |
20 |
19 |
19 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
19 |
16 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
27 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
23 |
17 |
16 |
11 |
7 |
9 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
22 |
22 |
22 |
21 |
19 |
19 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
18 |
|
D.M.R. TRAFFIC |
156 |
155 |
149 |
144 |
138 |
106 |
118 |
107 |
101 |
104 |
|
KILDARE |
36 |
40 |
41 |
41 |
39 |
36 |
34 |
25 |
24 |
27 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
42 |
35 |
31 |
26 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
22 |
19 |
22 |
|
LOUTH / MEATH |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
MEATH |
30 |
31 |
29 |
22 |
20 |
19 |
16 |
17 |
14 |
16 |
|
WESTMEATH |
27 |
29 |
26 |
24 |
21 |
23 |
20 |
28 |
18 |
18 |
|
WICKLOW |
30 |
30 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
20 |
21 |
17 |
16 |
19 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
38 |
36 |
29 |
30 |
27 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
18 |
23 |
|
DONEGAL |
34 |
42 |
32 |
30 |
29 |
31 |
27 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
|
LOUTH |
30 |
25 |
25 |
22 |
19 |
17 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
19 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
34 |
34 |
33 |
34 |
31 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
39 |
38 |
37 |
36 |
32 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
26 |
22 |
|
TIPPERARY |
40 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
22 |
23 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
26 |
|
WATERFORD |
31 |
26 |
25 |
22 |
19 |
18 |
14 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
|
WEXFORD |
29 |
25 |
21 |
16 |
16 |
15 |
14 |
15 |
13 |
15 |
|
CORK CITY |
51 |
48 |
49 |
45 |
40 |
38 |
36 |
39 |
37 |
37 |
|
CORK NORTH |
41 |
40 |
39 |
37 |
35 |
34 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
|
CORK WEST |
27 |
28 |
28 |
25 |
21 |
22 |
18 |
22 |
21 |
22 |
|
KERRY |
35 |
35 |
31 |
25 |
22 |
20 |
18 |
17 |
18 |
24 |
|
LIMERICK |
33 |
34 |
30 |
32 |
31 |
29 |
26 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
|
CLARE |
29 |
24 |
25 |
18 |
17 |
16 |
18 |
17 |
15 |
18 |
|
GALWAY |
47 |
51 |
41 |
40 |
39 |
41 |
41 |
39 |
37 |
37 |
|
MAYO |
29 |
27 |
22 |
17 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
16 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
23 |
23 |
25 |
23 |
22 |
21 |
19 |
19 |
17 |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
1046 |
1011 |
940 |
870 |
804 |
742 |
716 |
669 |
623 |
680 |
