Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
375. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí per capita in each county in the State; and if she will ensure that she facilitates the increase of Garda resources into counties that have had the largest increase in population as a result of the latest Census data. [46687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion provided for in 2022.
As you 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. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role such matters.
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 optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that on 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,283 Garda members across the country. The table below outlines the Garda strength per head of population by county as of 31 August 2022.
The Garda authorities further advise that the table below contains preliminary figures provided by the Central Statistics Office for Census 2022.
|
Garda Strength 31/08/2022 |
Preliminary 2022 figures |
Ratio - 1 member per |
|
|
CARLOW |
112 |
61,931 |
553 |
|
CAVAN |
206 |
81,201 |
394 |
|
CLARE |
312 |
127,419 |
408 |
|
CORK TOTAL (City, North, West) |
1,348 |
581,231 |
431 |
|
DMR Total (North, N Central, South, S Central, East, West) |
3,912 |
1,450,701 |
371 |
|
DONEGAL |
448 |
166,321 |
371 |
|
GALWAY |
618 |
276,451 |
447 |
|
KERRY |
349 |
155,258 |
445 |
|
KILDARE |
441 |
246,977 |
560 |
|
KILKENNY |
221 |
103,685 |
469 |
|
LAOIS |
219 |
91,657 |
418 |
|
LEITRIM |
105 |
35,087 |
334 |
|
LIMERICK |
600 |
205,444 |
342 |
|
LONGFORD |
139 |
46,634 |
335 |
|
LOUTH |
404 |
139,100 |
344 |
|
MAYO |
321 |
137,231 |
427 |
|
MEATH |
330 |
220,296 |
668 |
|
MONAGHAN |
179 |
64,832 |
362 |
|
OFFALY |
165 |
82,668 |
501 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
159 |
69,995 |
440 |
|
SLIGO |
190 |
69,819 |
367 |
|
TIPPERARY |
399 |
167,661 |
420 |
|
WATERFORD |
381 |
127,085 |
334 |
|
WESTMEATH |
254 |
95,840 |
377 |
|
WEXFORD |
340 |
163,527 |
481 |
|
WICKLOW |
310 |
155,485 |
502 |
|
Total Operational Divisions Strength |
12,462 |
5,123,536 |
411 |
|
Headquarters, College & National/Specialist units |
1,821 |
5,123,536 |
2,814 |
|
TOTAL STRENGTH |
14,283 |
5,123,536 |
359 |
As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda numbers nationwide can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an exceptional impact across the country over the past two years
