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An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Ceisteanna (662)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

662. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda community officers for each district in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26295/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands.  This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

To date, the official categorisation of a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others.  However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this has never been more evident than in the work carried out by all members of the Gardaí as we have tackled the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table sets out the number of Community Gardaí  attached to Kildare Division and Laois/Offaly Division at 31 March 2021.

Kildare Division 

Total

Kildare District

2

Naas District

3

Leixlip District 

4

Total 

9

Laois/Offaly Division 

Total

Birr District

2

Portlaoise District

8

Tullamore District 

3

Total 

13

Detailed information in relation to Community Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website.  This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána at the following link:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures 

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