Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
607. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Commissioner in order to answer Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 23 November 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Question No. 484 of 23 November 2021 refers to the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Community Policing unit at Coolock Garda station in each of the past five years in tabular form.
As the Deputy is aware, 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, including deployment of personnel among the Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The table below which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Coolock Garda station from 31 December 2017 to 31 December 2021.
Community Gardaí by rank attached to Coolock Garda Station
|
Year |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Total |
|
December 2021 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
December 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
December 2019 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
December 2018 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
December 2017 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
I am informed that in 2020, at the beginning of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision was made by the Commissioner to redeploy Community Policing and Juvenile Liaison Officer Garda members to front line policing duties. Although these members were redeployed to align their tours of duty with the regular units, they retained and continued to perform their community policing responsibilities, tasks and duties.
The Garda authorities have informed me that the three assigned Garda members were reassigned to the Community Policing Unit and to their pre pandemic Community Policing tours of duty in June 2021. As set out above, I have been further advised that there is currently one Sergeant attached to Community Policing in Coolock Garda Station.
In addition, a dedicated unit was established in Coolock Garda station to carry out Community Policing duties and functions in the Darndale and surrounding areas. This unit supplemented the Community Policing Unit and had four members attached to it. This unit was in existence in Coolock Garda station throughout the COVID pandemic.
