Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1282. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the additional policing measures that will put in place at Lisdoonvarna, County Clare given the 300% increase in the population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion. As the Deputy will be 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, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. The Commissioner is also responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Act. As Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. The full complement of resources fluctuates on an ongoing basis and where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the division and its specific needs.
As the Deputy is aware, the population increase in Lisdoonvarna is a result of accommodating families who have been displaced due to the war in Ukraine. These families are mostly women and children. I am advised that no policing issues have arisen to date and that no additional policing measures are required to be implemented in Lisdoonvarna at this time. I am further advised that the situation continues to be monitored and engagement with all the communities will continue.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 March 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 314 Garda members and 49 Garda staff assigned to Clare Division. This represents respective increases of 7.5% and 58% since December 2012, when there were 292 Gardaí and 31 Garda staff assigned to the Division.
In the interests of transparency, detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
