Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
470. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an account of the new Garda districts and sub-districts set up in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2019 Ireland’s policing map has been redrawn to bring Garda districts and sub-districts under a streamlined Garda Operating Model.
From the foundation of the State in 1922, the core policing structures used by An Garda Síochána had largely remained static. The service was modelled around smaller policing districts in which functions such as crime investigation and administration were duplicated across small local jurisdictions.
The Garda Operating Model was introduced following the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in 2018. It replaced the traditional district-based system with a divisional framework, placing overall responsibility for local policing with a Divisional Chief Superintendent.
Within each division, four functional areas—Community Engagement, Crime, Business Services, and Performance Assurance—replace districts. These are led by Superintendents, apart from Business Services, which is overseen by an Assistant Principal Officer.
In 2015, An Garda Síochána was organised as follows; 6 Regions, 28 Divisions and 96 Districts.
In 2019, the Garda Operating Model began with divisional pilots in four Divisions; Galway, Cork City, Dublin South Central and Mayo.
In October 2019 regions were reduced from six to four, and divisional designs were standardised to approximately 700–800 Gardaí and Garda staff, decreasing the number of divisions from 28 to 19.
The Garda Operating Model adopted a phased implementation approach from 2020 to 2025. Responding and adapting to demographic changes and other considerations, a review of the model saw re-alignment from 19 to 21 Divisions.
The Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Act came into law in 2022 to underpin the new Garda operating model.
In May 2025 full divisional implementation of the Garda Operating Model was achieved in all 21 divisions, with deployment progressing in regional and national functions/bureaus .
Over this time district and sub-district boundaries were adjusted to align to 62 Community Engagement Functional Areas.
The table below sets out the timeline of major changes since 2022.
|
Year |
Number of divisions transitioned to Op Model Structures |
Description |
|
2022 |
6 |
Cork City, Kerry, Galway, Limerick, Mayo/Roscommon/Longford, DMR South Central |
|
2023 |
4 |
Clare/Tipperary, DMR South, Meath/Westmeath, Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
|
2024 |
8 |
Waterford/Kilkenny/(Carlow), DMR North Central, Wexford/Wicklow, DMR West, DMR North, Cork County, DMR East, Sligo/Leitrim |
|
2025 |
3 |
Laois/Offaly, Donegal, Kildare/Carlow |
|
Total |
21 |
|
To summarise, following the full implementation of the Garda Operating model, An Garda Síochána now operates:
• 564 stations - unchanged as a result of the Garda Operating Model.
• A phased transition from Districts into Community Engagement Functional Areas as Divisions implemented the Garda Operating Model.
• Consolidated Divisions from 28 to 21 between 2022–2025.
As Minister I have no direct role in decisions related to the Garda Operating Model, as these are operational policing matters under the Commissioner's remit. I remain committed to supporting An Garda Síochána and the Commissioner to ensure that they have the resources they need to recruit more Gardaí, fight crime and keep our communities safe.
