The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024, a 25% increase since 2020 allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As the Deputy is aware, it is the responsibility of Garda management to manage and keep under review the distribution of resources. I am informed that when consideration is given to the allocation and transfer of Garda members to and from any Division, account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies
• Minimum establishment statistics
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in 2014, a total of 74 new recruits have been assigned to the East Meath district of Ashbourne.
At the end of March this year there were 155 Garda members assigned to the Ashbourne District, including 135 Gardaí, 16 Sergeants, 3 Inspectors and 1 Superintendent. In addition, there is a total of 8 Garda staff assigned to the Ashbourne District, up from 5 in 2015.
I am pleased to note that since 2020, 72 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to Meath, as compared to 48 Gardaí who have retired from the Meath Division in the same period.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the tables below set out the number of Garda members assigned to Meath Division for the years requested.
GARDA STATISTICS MONTH ENDING 31 March 2024
|
Division
|
District
|
Station
|
GD
|
SG
|
IN
|
SU
|
CS
|
AC
|
Total
|
MEATH
|
ASHBOURNE
|
ASHBOURNE
|
43
|
7
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
DULEEK
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
DUNBOYNE
|
49
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
DUNSHAUGHLIN
|
20
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
LAYTOWN
|
19
|
5
|
1
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
135
|
16
|
3
|
1
|
|
|
155
|
|
KELLS
|
BAILE ÁTHA BUÍ
|
4
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
KELLS
|
21
|
6
|
1
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
OLDCASTLE
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
28
|
7
|
1
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
NAVAN
|
NAVAN
|
79
|
10
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
|
95
|
|
|
NOBBER
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
SLANE
|
5
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
85
|
12
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
|
103
|
|
TRIM
|
BALLIVOR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENFIELD
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
LONGWOOD
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
SUMMERHILL
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
TRIM
|
34
|
8
|
2
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
38
|
8
|
2
|
|
|
|
48
|
Meath Total
|
|
|
286
|
43
|
10
|
2
|
1
|
|
342
|
I am further advised that the table below sets out the number of Garda members who retired from the Meath Division in the years 2020 up to the 18 April 2024. I am informed that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10 for data protection reasons. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
Meath Division
|
Total
|
2020
|
12
|
2021
|
<10
|
2022
|
20
|
2023
|
<10
|
2024 (up to 18 April)
|
<10
|
Total
|
48
|
As the Deputy will be aware information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, District, Station and rank can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/