Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
548. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 18 September 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to answer the question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42484/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 18 September 2024 asking about the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau as of 9 September 2024 and the corresponding figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form.
As you will appreciate, the management of Garda resources is an operational matter for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána but to be of assistance, I committed to responding to this question once the relevant information had been received from An Garda Síochána.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) provides advice, guidance and assistance to gardaí investigating the following: sexual crime, online child exploitation, domestic abuse, human trafficking, organised prostitution, specialist interview, sex offender management, missing persons and support for victims of crime.
The bureau leads the investigation in more complex cases.
I am informed by Garda authorities that there is a current competition to fill Garda Sergeant and Inspector positions in the unit.
In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, that information is presented in the tables below.
I am further informed that in line with recent direction, AGS only report numbers at the end of month, the table below has been given to reflect figures as of end of August 2024.
|
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
IN |
SG |
GD |
TOTAL |
|
* |
* |
* |
14 |
39 |
60 |
31 Dec 2022
|
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
IN |
SG |
GD |
TOTAL |
|
* |
* |
* |
17 |
48 |
73 |
Asterix * denotes a figure that is less than 10
• CR – Garda Commissioner
• DC – Deputy Garda Commissioner
• AC - Assistant Garda Commissioner
• CS – Chief Superintendent
• SU - Superintendent
• IN - Inspector
• SG - Sergeant
• GD – Garda
The GNSPB is responsible at strategic and operational levels for how An Garda Síochána responds to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.
As the deputy will be aware, there is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.
This is to ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
There are currently 352 gardaí working in DPSUs.
|
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Total |
|
283 |
57 |
12 |
352 |
The GNSPB has responsibility for training requirements in the DPSUs, and the policy for investigations into domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The day-to-day work of the DPSUs is under each Divisional Chief Superintendent.
