Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
326. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda staffing levels in each division prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic; and the increases in staffing since the outbreak of the pandemic in each division in tabular form. [13527/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of Garda staffing levels in each Garda station across the Clare Garda division prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in tabular form; the details of increases in staffing in these stations since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of Garda staffing levels in each Garda station across the Limerick Garda division prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in tabular form; the details of increases in staffing in these stations since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13638/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 335 and 336 together.
The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured 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.
The resources provided to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As at 31 May 2020, there are now 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow.
This total figure includes the Garda trainees from two separate intake classes who attested earlier than scheduled in March 2020, following an operational decision by the Garda Commissioner to augment An Garda Síochána's capacity to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A detailed breakdown of the Garda workforce, including both Garda members and staff, is available on my Department’s website.
Detail of Garda deployment for all Garda Divisions, as furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, is available at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_May_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_May_2020.xlsx.
This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public. As such, this database includes the changes in figures since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak for all Garda Divisions.
Additional information on the Garda workforce, as furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, is available at the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce.
Information on Garda staff, as furnished to me by An Garda Síochána, is available at the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff .
