Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
265. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dedicated community gardaí based in each Garda district in County Donegal in each of the years 2002 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [37071/18]
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.
The material is not compiled in such a manner as to allow me to provide you with the number of Community Gardaí in each district, by way of assistance the number of Community Gardaí by Division in each of the years from 2008 to 31 July 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website through the link below.
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_31_July_2018.xlsx/Files/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_31_July_2018.xlsx
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
