Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 June 2024
9. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice to provide Garda numbers for each district, and station in Wicklow for each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26507/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. 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.
At the end of April this year, there were 287 Garda members assigned to Wicklow Division, of which 123 Garda members were assigned to the Bray District, (101 Gardaí, 17 Sergeants, 4 Inspectors and 1 Superintendent). In the Wicklow District there were 99 Garda members (81 Gardaí, 14 Sergeants, 3 Inspectors and 1 Superintendent). While in the Baltinglass District there were 65 Garda members (57 Gardaí, 7 Sergeants, and 1 Inspector).
These Garda members are supported by 33 Garda staff, an increase of 50% since end 2015.
I am pleased to note that since 2015, a total of 88 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Wicklow Division. This includes 9 Probationer Gardaí who attested in March this year.
As numbers rise towards our target of 15,000 Gardaí, the number of Gardaí per head of population will increase further.
Coupled with the continued roll-out of the new Operating Model, I am confident that the Commissioner will have the resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.
