Ann Graves
Ceist:34. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the action the Government is taking to increase the number of community Gardaí. [53795/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 9 October 2025
Ceisteanna (34)
Freagraí scríofa
Getting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice.
This 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 Programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure each community policing area has a dedicated community Garda, so everyone knows their local officer and how to contact them.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. All Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing continues to play a pivotal role in building trust between Gardaí and the public, through visible, responsive policing and open dialogue in neighbourhoods, schools and diverse community groups. It is through this engagement that communities and Gardaí work together to prevent crime and strengthen local resilience.
While the allocation of Gardaí is by law a matter for the Garda Commissioner, I'm assured by him that the resourcing requirements for community policing is closely monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that each Garda Division is in a position to carry out their functions in an effective manner. The allocation of additional Gardaí will be considered by the Commissioner in the context of the overall policing needs and operational priorities of the organisation.
As of 31 August 2025, 664 Gardaí were assigned to Community Policing Teams nationwide.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí assigned to Community Policing units by Division is publicly available and 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 last relevant month and access the file titled “Community Garda by Division 2008 to 31 August 2025” for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers going back to 2008.