Home > Dáil Éireann debate. Written answers 27, 37, 52, 80, 89 - An Garda Síochána [7676/23, 7687/23, 7675/23, 7678/23, 7676/23].

[Oireachtas] Dáil Éireann debate. Written answers 27, 37, 52, 80, 89 - An Garda Síochána [7676/23, 7687/23, 7675/23, 7678/23, 7676/23]. (16 Feb 2023)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023...


80. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to the drugs and community policing units in the Finglas sub-district for the past five years up to the latest date possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7676/23]

Simon Harris Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State, including to specialist units within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.

I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. This takes into account factors including crime trends, operational strategies and local population figures.

The table below, given to me by Garda authorities, outlines the number of community police in Finglas, and the drugs unit in DMR West of which Finglas is part. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that counts of less than 10 cannot be provided for Drug Units due to the impact on operational effectiveness and security.

Year ending

Community Policing Finglas

Drugs Unit DMR West

31/12/2018

11

11

31/12/2019

15

*

31/12/2020

15

22

31/12/2021

10

26

31/12/2022

9

20

The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers 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 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.

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Dáil Éireann Debate. Written answer 52 - An Garda Síochána [7687/23]

52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the strength and deployment of An Garda Síochána continues to be sufficient to deal with drugs and organised crime in line with population increases, and the need to ensure adequate policing in areas currently appearing to have a deficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7687/23]

Simon Harris Minister for Justice: The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána, the other State agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard, and the Government.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda resources, including the assignment of Garda members to a given area or specialised unit.

Similarly, the Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and countering organised criminal activity, and the enforcement of legislation pertaining to illegal drugs. As Minister, I have no direct role in these operational, policing matters.

I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the use of these resources under continual review to ensure their best use. Among the factors considered are population figures, crime trends and Garda operations in a given area.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) continues to have significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. GNDOCB’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works in cooperation with international law enforcement partners.

More broadly, Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other State agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.

The Government is committed to building stronger and safer communities across the country. Since 2015, the government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%, to support Gardaí in its vital work to combat criminal activity.

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Dáil Éireann Debate. Written answer 37 - An Garda Síochána [7675/23]

37. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to the drugs and community policing units in the Ballymun sub-district for the past five years up to the latest date possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7675/23]

Simon Harris Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State, including to specialist units within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.

I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. This takes into account factors including crime trends, operational strategies and local population figures.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Community Gardaí assigned to the Ballymun area is currently less than 10. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that counts of less than 10 cannot be provided due to data protection concerns.

The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers 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 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.

The table below, provided to me by Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí assigned to the Drugs Unit in the DMR North Division, of which Ballymun is part.

Year

Drugs Unit DMR North

31/12/2018

19

31/12/2019

19

31/12/2020

30

31/12/2021

28

31/12/2022

29

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Dáil Éireann Debate. Written answer 27 - An Garda Síochána [7678/23]

27. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in the Cavan/Monaghan drug unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7678/23]

Simon Harris Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of Garda members to a given Division, District or Station or their assignment to specialist units.

I am advised by Garda authorities that, as of end of December 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there are under 10 Gardaí attached to the Cavan/Monaghan drugs unit. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that counts of less than 10 cannot be provided and due to the impact on operational effectiveness and security.

I can assure the Deputy that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their best use. Local and senior Garda management are also consulted during the allocation of personnel to ensure the continued level of delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that when consideration is given to the allocation of resources account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’, including commitments related to the continued roll-out of the Operating Model of policing.

Other factors considered include the following: local and national crime trends and workloads; policing arrangements and operational strategies; and local population trends and geographical area.

My Department remains committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources needed to perform its vital role in the community. We are committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. This has been reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023 to support high-visibility policing.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 89 - An Garda Síochána [7676/23]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-02-16/80/#pq_80

80. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to the drugs and community policing units in the Finglas sub-district for the past five years up to the latest date possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7676/23]

Simon Harris Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State, including to specialist units within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.

I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. This takes into account factors including crime trends, operational strategies and local population figures.

The table below, given to me by Garda authorities, outlines the number of community police in Finglas, and the drugs unit in DMR West of which Finglas is part. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that counts of less than 10 cannot be provided for Drug Units due to the impact on operational effectiveness and security.

Year ending

Community Policing Finglas

Drugs Unit DMR West

31/12/2018

11

11

31/12/2019

15

*

31/12/2020

15

22

31/12/2021

10

26

31/12/2022

9

20

The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers 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 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.

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