Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
208. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí attached to each Garda division in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [20485/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, 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 as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. 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 of 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.
With regard to numbers of Gardaí attached to divisions and stations or in particular roles or units much of the data requested is on my Department’s website and is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána.
The strength of the officially categorised Community Gardaí for each Division in each of the years from 2009 to 2019 is available on my Department’s website through the link below.
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_March_2019.xlsx/Files/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_March_2019.xlsx
For general information on Garda Facts and Figures below is the link to the website
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
