Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
566. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspectors allocated to Waterford Garda division in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [16511/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 role in 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 30 June 2020, there are now approximately 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.
Specifically in relation to Waterford, I am informed by the Garda authorities that as at 30 June 2020 there were 376 Gardaí assigned to the Waterford Division. This represents a significant increase of 94 Gardaí in the Division since the end of 2015.
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:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_June_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_June_2020.xlsx
This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána and published on my Department's website, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public.
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: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff
