Tuesday, 20 Jan 2026

Written Answers Nos. 751-770

• Debates
• Find a debate
  • Dáil debates
  • Seanad debates
  • Committee debates
• Find a vote
  • Dáil votes
  • Seanad votes
  • Committee votes
• Parliamentary questions
  • Written questions
  • Oral questions
• Search tips
• Utterances having an adverse effect

Prison Service

Questions (751)

Paula Butterly

Question:

751. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons currently in prison serving short sentences; the number of persons currently on remand in prison; the number of those persons on remand in prison who were already in prison serving a sentence for another offence; the length of time they have been in custody, broken down by 0–1 years, 1–2 years, 2–5 years, over 5 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4322/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has advised that information regarding custodial sentences is published on its website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information can be found in the Information Centre under Statistics & Information, Snapshot Statistics and Monthly Information Note.

The number of persons currently in prison serving short sentences is taken from the most recent snapshot of the prison population conducted on 31 December 2025 and is outlined in the table below.

-
Sentence Length	Male	Female
0-1 years	406	45
1-2 years	468	49
2-5 years	1,598	102
Over 5 years	1,502	26
Total	3,974	222

The number of persons currently on remand, classified by length of time on remand, is taken from the most recent snapshot of the prison population conducted on 31 December 2025 and is outlined in the table below.

-
	<1 month	1 to 3 months	3 to 6 months	6 to 9 months	9 to 12 months	1 to 2 years	2 years plus	Total
Castlerea	26	23	10	7	2	11	1	80
Cloverhill	110	110	58	15	10	16	5	324
Cork	39	31	16	6	2	4	2	100
Limerick	28	25	17	6	1	3	3	83
Midlands	1	15	14	18	10	7	0	65
Mountjoy	17	15	8	3	3	5	0	51
Portlaoise	0	6	4	4	9	6	0	29
Wheatfield	8	48	34	22	13	9	2	136
Total	229	273	161	81	50	61	13	868

*The table above differs from the remand figure published in the IPS daily numbers as the information focuses solely on those held on a remand/trial warrant and does not include prisoners who were or are being held on a sentence warrant but also have a remand warrant, which becomes active once the sentence warrant expires.

The IPS have advised my Department that, on 31 December 2025, there were 263 persons in custody who were held on a remand /trial warrant and who were already in prison serving a sentence for another offence. The IPS have further advised they are unable to provide the length of time these individuals have been in custody, as this would require a manual check of each record.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (752)

Matt Carthy

Question:

752. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will meet with the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4323/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the Lynch family on the tragic loss of their daughter Kelly Marie.

I am aware that the family has written to the Garda Commissioner requesting a review of the investigation into the death of Kelly Marie. I understand that an internal Garda peer review was commenced in 2024 and that the family has raised the matter with Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman.

An Garda Síochána and Fiosrú are independent by law under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 and I can neither direct them nor intervene in any specific investigation. I have no role in the conduct of, or review of, any investigation under their respective remits.

I have written to the family outlining my role in these matters and the systems of oversight and accountability that govern the work of An Garda Síochána and Fiosrú.

To date, I have not received a direct request from the family to meet. I do consider all meeting requests on a case-by-case basis.

The Deputy may also wish to note that Garda Commissioner is responsible for appointing Garda Liaison Officers, such as Family Liaison Officers who are assigned to families and are responsible for liaising with the family throughout an investigation and providing support and updates to families regarding investigations.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (753)

Matt Carthy

Question:

753. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Garda stations in each district and the number of stations that have no Garda allocated to them, in each of the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The 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.

Budget 2026 provides a record allocation of €2.74 billion to An Garda Síochána which will support the continued recruitment of Gardaí and staff.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, and I am unable to direct him in these matters, I continue to engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.

It should be noted that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement Area and supported by Divisional resources and units.

Currently, An Garda Síochána has over 560 Garda stations throughout the country. By international standards, this is high. For example, in Scotland, which has a comparable population size and a highly dispersed population, there are approximately 250 police stations. There have been no Garda station closures in the last number of years and the Garda Commissioner has repeatedly said there are no plans to close any stations.

I am informed that when allocating Garda members to and from any Division or station, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Service 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.

The Operating Model is intended to release more front-line Gardaí, provide a stronger focus on community policing, and transform the delivery of policing services locally. This reflects best international practice and will ensure that each Division has the resources and skills to deliver a wider range of community policing and specialist services based on the demands in their area.

The new model will provide more frontline Gardaí and increased Garda visibility, and will deliver a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. This will allow for a greater, more consistent, focus on community policing in all divisions.

An Garda Síochána have a station directory on their website where the Deputy can find the opening hours and contact details for every Garda station.

[www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/]

Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and is a fundamental component of the new Garda Operating Model.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (754)

Matt Carthy

Question:

754. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Garda stations, by Garda district which are manned less than 24 hours per day, in each of the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4329/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The opening hours of individual Garda Stations are publicly available on the Garda Station Directory, which can be found at the following link.

[www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/]

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. This includes all decisions related to the opening hours of individual Garda stations.

It should be noted that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement Area and supported by Divisional resources and units.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (755)

Matt Carthy

Question:

755. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Gardaí in each garda station in County Offaly, in each of the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4330/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to Garda stations in the Laois / Offaly Division. This can be found at the following link:

[www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/]

The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Garda Members by division district station to the most recent date" for a breakdown of Gardaí by Garda station going back to 2009.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (756, 757)

Matt Carthy

Question:

756. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of vacancies in each Garda station in County Offaly, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4331/26]

Matt Carthy

Question:

757. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of community Gardaí allocated to each Garda station in County Offaly, in each of the past five years; the current number of community Garda position that are vacant in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4332/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 757 together.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the distribution and allocation of Gardaí throughout the State. As Minister, my priority is getting more Gardaí into all our communities by supporting increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. A Garda budget of €2.74 billion in 2026 will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff and a doubling of the Garda Reserve to over 600.

I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

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.

The Commissioner takes the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide 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.

In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to the Laois/Offaly Division and a breakdown of members assigned to community policing by Garda Division. This can be found at the following link:

[www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/]

The Deputy should select the most recently available month and then select the file titled ‘Garda members by Division District Station to the most recent date', to access a breakdown of Garda members assigned by Division and Station. The Deputy can select the file titled 'Community Garda by Division to the most recent date', to access a breakdown of Community Gardaí by division.

Question No. 757 answered with Question No. 756.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (758)

Matt Carthy

Question:

758. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current response times for emergency and non-emergency calls in the Tullamore District, County Offaly, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4333/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I am informed by Garda authorities that data from the GardaSAFE computer aided dispatch system is not yet supported by An Garda Síochána’s Analysis Service and therefore the information requested cannot be supplied at this time.

It is anticipated that initial reporting capabilities (for example on the counts of calls received) in respect of GardaSAFE data will commence in Q1 2026. There will be incremental, additional reporting capabilities in each quarter over the course of 2026.

I am advised that the GardaSAFE system was rolled out incrementally across the organisation in 2023. I understand that while there are some reports available, these are focused on live operational aspects for the Control Rooms to monitor call volumes, etc.

I am informed that the Garda Regional Control Centres answer every 999/112 call that Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) needs to connect. If the caller hangs up before the call is answered, the ECAS operator will stay on the call and connect the call giving all relevant information. In the rare event that a technical issue arises in one of the Regional Control Rooms, ECAS will stay on the call and route the call to a Garda call taker at an alternative location.

The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for all operational policing matters, including responses by An Garda Síochána to emergency calls. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

Antisocial Behaviour

Questions (759)

Matt Carthy

Question:

759. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the annual number of incidents of public order and of anti-social behaviour in each Garda district in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4334/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.

The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 22 December 2025, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 3, 2025.

Recorded crime statistics are published by the CSO for Public Order and related offences at Garda Division level, by quarter, for the Q1 2003 to Q3 2025 period at the following link:

[data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06]

Alternatively, overall recorded crime statistics are published by the CSO by type of offence, including Public Order and related offences, annually for the 2003 to 2024 period at the following link:

[data.cso.ie/table/CJA01]

An Garda Síochána

Questions (760)

Matt Carthy

Question:

760. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the age profile of the Garda fleet in each district within Laois-Offaly division, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4335/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

An Garda Síochána have provided the below table with a breakdown of the age profile of the Garda fleet in the Laois - Offaly Division as at 31 December 2025:

Age Group	Birr	Portlaoise	Tullamore	Total
Less than 1 year	2	6	4	12
1-2 years	2	13	3	18
2-4 years	1	4	3	8
4-6 years	3	14	8	25
Over 6 years	2	12	5	19
Total	10	49	23	82

The Garda authorities have further advised the purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

All vehicles are operated up to the manufacturers durability limits or uneconomic repair, irrespective of age. A comprehensive Service Repair and Maintenance programme is in place to ensure that all vehicles are operating to manufacturers specifications.

An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional monthly breakdown. Monthly fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to November 2025 and are publicly available on the Garda website at the following link:

[www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html]

An Garda Síochána

Questions (761)

Matt Carthy

Question:

761. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Garda vehicles in each district within Laois-Offaly division, in each of the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4336/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational policing and responsibility for the allocation and deployment of resources and personnel available to him, including the Garda fleet.

An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including the Laois - Offaly Division. Monthly Fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to date. This is publicly available on the Garda website at the following link:

[www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html]

[ ]

Departmental Funding

Questions (762)

Matt Carthy

Question:

762. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the allocation per county under the Community Safety Innovation fund in each year since its introduction, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4354/26]

An Garda Síochána

Questions (763)

Matt Carthy

Question:

763. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardai assigned to the drugs unit in each Garda division at present and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4355/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes determining the manner in which members of garda personnel are to be distributed and stationed throughout the State. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under Section 34 of the Act and I, as Minister, have no role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 30 November 2025, the latest date for which figures are available that there were 323 members in total assigned to Divisional Drugs Units.

The attached table sets out the total number of Gardai assigned to each Divisional Drug Unit over the past three years. I will forward information on previous years when available from Garda authorities. It should be noted that the table reflects the Divisional reconfigurations that occurred as part of the transition to the Garda Operational Model in the time period covered. [<ahref="https:/data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2026-01-20_pq763-20-01-2026_en.xlsx">PQanswer</a>]

Citizenship Applications

Questions (764)

Matt Carthy

Question:

764. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether it is intended that the time a person spends in Ireland as a beneficiary of temporary protection will be considered as reckonable residency for Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4356/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection hold temporary permission to remain in Ireland, renewable annually for as long as the Directive remains in force.

On 15 July 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council extended Temporary Protection by a year until March 2027, providing certainty for beneficiaries who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides.

In addition, the Government has agreed to opt in to an EU proposal for a Recommendation related to a coordinated exit from Temporary Protection. While not binding, this recommendation outlines a series of measures to pave the way for a smooth and coordinated approach to transitioning out of Temporary Protection for displaced people from Ukraine. It also acknowledges the inherently temporary nature of temporary protection and that it therefore must eventually end.

The proposed recommendation focuses on four sets of measures:

1. Promote and facilitate the transition to other legal statuses before the end of temporary protection;

2. Pave the way for a smooth and sustainable reintegration in Ukraine;

3. Ensure information provision to displaced persons; and

4. Ensure coordination, monitoring and exchange of information among Member States and with the Ukrainian authorities.

On 16 September 2025, the recommendation was adopted by Member States.

This recommendation is actively informing ongoing work across Government on approaches to managing the exit from Temporary Protection. Ireland’s objective is to achieve a coordinated and orderly exit from temporary protection through advancing the above measures.

It is existing policy that temporary immigration permissions do count toward reckonable residence for the purposes of naturalisation in Ireland. This applies, for example, to student immigration permissions. To align with existing policy and to provide legislative clarity, I intend to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to explicitly exclude Temporary Protection under the Temporary Protection Directive from the residency accrual provisions of the 1956 Act.

The impact of the exclusion of time spent under Temporary Protection from the calculation of reckonable residence will be carefully considered as part of the ongoing work across Government on approaches to managing the exit from Temporary Protection.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (765)

Matt Carthy

Question:

765. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection that are estimated to have been in Ireland, since 2025, 2024, 2023 and since 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4357/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection hold temporary permission to remain in Ireland, renewable annually for as long as the Directive remains in force.

On 15 July 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council extended Temporary Protection by a year until March 2027, providing certainty for beneficiaries who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides.

The table below shows the number of people who were granted Temporary Protection by my Department for each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and up to 11 January 2026.

Year	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026*
Total	69, 467	32,937	10,448	11,440	140

*as of COB 11 January 2026

** Figures are correct at the time of issue but may be subject to data cleansing

The table above does not show the number of beneficiaries who have voluntarily withdrawn their Temporary Protection status or the number of people that have left the state.

I can advise the Deputy that the Central Statistics Office regularly release publications concerning arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland which estimates the number still present in the State. The latest release can be found here:

www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/fp/p-aui/arrivalsfromukraineinirelandseries17/

Probation and Welfare Service

Questions (766, 767)

Marie Sherlock

Question:

766. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of probation staff in each probation area for each of the years 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2025. [4362/26]

Marie Sherlock

Question:

767. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of probation staff vacancies in each probation area. [4404/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 767 together.

The Probation Service have provided my Department with the below information in answer to the Deputy's questions.

Table 1: Current vacancies in the Probation Service, by region

Area	Number of Vacancies	Breakdown
Dublin North & North East	6	1 Clerical Officer 1 Senior Probation Officer, 4 Probation Officer
Dublin South & Wicklow	5	1 Probation Assistants, 4 Probation Officers
South West Region	1	1 Clerical Officer
Cork Region	1	1 Executive Officer
North, North West & Westmeath	6	1 Clerical Officer, 1 Executive Officer, 1 Probation Assistant, 3 Probation Officers
South East Region	12	2 Clerical Officers, 2 Probation Assistants, 1 Senior Probation Officer, 7 Probation Officer
YPP	3	1 Probation Assistant, 2 Probation Officers
RJ & Social Inclusion	1	1 Higher Executive Officer
Staff Learning & Development	1	1 Probation Officer
Corporate	7	4 Service Officers, 2 AP, 1 Director
Community Sanctions & Services	1	1 Higher Executive Officer
Prisons North	2	1 Senior Probation Officer, 1 Probation Officer
Prisons South	2	2 Probation Officers
Total	48

The Probation Service have further advised that, as announced in Budget 2026, the recruitment of additional staff has been sanctioned. A process is underway to identify new posts and commence recruitment of same.

Table 2: Number of Probation Service staff 2025, by area and function

Areas	FTE	TOTAL
Dublin North & North East	47.6	50
Dublin South & Wicklow	56.95	59
South West Region	47.8	49
Cork Region	40.9	42
North, North West & Westmeath	67.9	70
South East Region	76.8	79
YPP	17.8	18
RJ & Social Inclusion	5	5
Staff Learning & Development	7.6	8
Corporate	47.8	49
Community Sanctions & Services	34.6	35
Prisons North	31.6	32
Prisons South	22.4	23
SORT / SORAM	2.5	3
Total	507.25	522

Table 3: Number of Probation Service staff 2020, by area and function

Areas	FTE	TOTAL
Dublin North & North East	47.5	52
Dublin South & Wicklow	42.7	45
South West Region	36.2	38
Cork Region	28.5	29
North, North West & Westmeath	57.2	59
South East Region	56.6	59
YPP	17.2	18
RJ & Social Inclusion	3	3
Staff Learning & Development	9	9
Corporate	27.9	30
Community Sanctions & Services	33.6	34
Prisons	40.2	43
SORT / SORAM	5	5
Total	404.6	424

The Probation Service have advised that data showing the breakdown of Probation Service staff in each area and function is not available for the years 2015, 2010 and 2005. However, the below table provides total number of Probation Service Staff in these years.

Table 4: Total Probation Service Staff in 2015, 2010 and 2005

Year	Total Probation Service Staff
2015	395
2010	424
2005	436

Question No. 767 answered with Question No. 766.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (768)

Mark Wall

Question:

768. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of Gardaí, per rank in the roads policing unit; the breakdown of the number of Gardaí, per each division, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4412/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table attached sets out the total number of Gardaí, by rank and by Division assigned to Roads Policing Units as of 30 November 2025.

The Deputy may also wish to note that in the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí assigned to Road Policing units by Division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: [<ahref="https:/data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2026-01-20_pq768-20-01-2026_en.xlsx">PQanswer</a>]

[www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/]

The Deputy should select the most recent month and access the file titled “Road Policing by Division 2009 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Garda numbers by Garda division going back to 2009.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under Section 34 of the Act and, as Minister, I am unable to direct the Commissioner in regards to the deployment of Garda members.

Road Traffic Accidents

Questions (769)

Mark Wall

Question:

769. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of accidents that required a garda presence on the M9 over the past three years; the county breakdown of each of these accidents, per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4414/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Departmental Communications

Questions (770)

Carol Nolan

Question:

770. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason his Department transferred a question (details supplied) to the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage for reply given his Department is engaging with the issue under discussion as noted in the response from the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4415/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

• Written Answers Nos. 735-750
• Written Answers Nos. 771-790