Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
1017. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the provision of additional Garda resources for the Fingal area, which has a growing population and an increase in crime across many categories year on year; the timeline for delivery of resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19593/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1018. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the provision of permanent Garda resources to Donabate, including plans for a Garda station, in view of the fact the population is set to exceed 20,000 over the next ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19594/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1017 and 1018 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and the 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 Deputy will appreciate that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a result, all works related to the Garda estate involve close cooperation between the OPW and the Garda authorities.
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is based on agreed Garda priorities and benefits over 30 locations around the country, underpinned by significant Exchequer funding across the Garda and OPW Votes. The objective of this investment is to address deficiencies in the Garda estate and provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff as well as the public interacting with them.
I am informed that the current Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme does not include the development of a new Garda station in Donabate, Co. Dublin. The determination of the need for a new Garda Station there, or in other location, will be considered by An Garda Síochána in the context of the overall accommodation requirements arising from the ongoing expansion of the Garda workforce, the policing reform plan, A Policing Service For the Future, and the implementation of the new Garda operating model which will inform the overall accommodation priorities of An Garda Síochána over the years 2022-2026.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area of interest to the Deputy is policed by Swords Garda station and that dedicated Garda patrols are detailed for that area. The area is also regularly patrolled by Divisional and Regional Roads Policing Units and the Burglary Response Unit.
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.
A detailed breakdown of the Garda workforce, including both Garda members and staff, is available on my Department’s website. Details 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.
