Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2019
143. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Garda national protective service and its roll out and operations in Wicklow Garda Division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the management and efficient use of Garda resources is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. This includes responsibility for deployment of personnel. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I understand, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I have been informed by the Commissioner that to date, Divisional Protective Services Units have been established in DMR South Central, Waterford, Kerry, Kilkenny, Carlow, Limerick and Galway Garda Divisions. These are in addition to the units previously established in DMR West, Cork City and Louth Divisions in the initial phase of this initiative.
As the Deputy will be aware, I recently welcomed the Garda Commissioner's adoption of a new Garda Operating Model which will see the number of Garda Divisions reduce from 28 to 19. This functional model has long been recommended by independent policing specialists, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Rollout of this model meets a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future, the four year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The Commissioner's plan allows for Divisions of sufficient scale to be self-sufficient in the delivery of services, which will included greater availability of expertise in addressing domestic and sexual violence in each area.
I am informed by Garda management that it is expected that Divisional Protective Services Units should be rolled-out to the remaining Garda Divisions on a phased basis by the end of 2019.
This expected timetable is in accordance with the target set out in 'A Policing Service for the Future'.
