Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
119. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the Garda numbers of Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda stations, for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12943/25]
View answerThis 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. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 has unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continuing recruitment of Garda members and staff. I am delighted to note the recent response to the Garda recruitment competition. As the Deputy may be aware, 149 new Gardaí passed out of Templemore on 7 March and 201 new recruits entered training earlier this month.
The Garda Commissioner and his senior management team keep the distribution of resources under ongoing review and I understand that, when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan.
I know the Deputy will appreciate that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide must be 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; and
Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
I am informed that, as of 31 January 2025 the latest date for which figures are available, the total Garda workforce is almost 18,000, the highest ever level. Additionally all Garda members now carry mobile devices with real-time access to apps which eliminate paperwork and allow Gardaí to carry out their frontline duties far more efficiently. Mobility apps allow Gardaí to access their email on the move, check a vehicle’s history and tax status, and enables them to work more efficiently with local business and community groups.
The number of Gardaí assigned to Tallaght Garda station for the years 2023, 2024 and on 31 January 2025 were: 231, 233, 228, respectively. The number of Gardaí assigned to Rathfarnham station for the years 2023, 2024 and on 31 January last were 41, 43, 44, respectively. At the same date there was one member of Garda civilian staff assigned to Rathfarnham, and 44 Garda staff assigned to Tallaght Garda station.
Garda staff work alongside Garda members to carry out vital roles in the organisation to increase availability of Gardaí to focus on frontline duties. The civilianisation process has allowed 900 highly trained Gardaí to be freed up to increase Garda visibility and capacity.
It is also worth noting that An Garda Síochána police the country on a divisional-wide basis, viewing their station buildings as locations within communities where the public can attend, and where resources are based but not constrained within. I am assured that policing for an area is delivered using all the resources in a particular Community Engagement area, supported by both divisional and national resources and units, as appropriate.
