531. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region south central divisional drug squad for each of the past five years; the number of community gardaí in each station in the division for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47977/22]

Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use. I also understand that the allocation of resources and numbers required locally for Community Policing is solely the responsibility of the Divisional Officer.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 689 Garda members assigned to the DMR South Central, which represents an increase of over 6% since end December 2018. 

When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the DMR South Central Drugs unit at end December 2018 up to end December 2021, and at 31 August 2022 the latest date for which figures are available.

*The above information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.

The Deputy will also be aware that, to date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others.

It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.

Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, that the table below sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Community Policing in the DMR South Central at end December 2018 up to end December 2021, and at 31 August 2022 the latest date for which figures are available.

*The above information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.

Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.

The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures