Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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473. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of gardaí, by rank assigned to each respective Garda station in west Kerry, that is, Dingle, Annascaul, Castlegregory and Baile an Fheirtéaraigh; if any of the assigned gardaí at the respective stations are currently not available for duty; if the corresponding personnel numbers, including rank for June 2021 and June 2022 will be provided; if any vacant positions remain unfilled at these stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30924/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions and am unable to seek to direct, or otherwise influence, the Commissioner in such matters.

I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of in excess of €2 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.

This level of funding provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardaí and 400 additional Garda staff this year, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.

I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.

The Garda authorities also advise that while members may be allocated to a particular station they may, for operational reasons, be deployed elsewhere. It is also not possible to determine the number of members that are unavailable for duty in a given station as this is an operational matter and not static - members may be unavailable for a variety of reasons including but not limited to annual/statutory leave, training, illness or Court attendance. Gaps in availability may also be covered by overtime undertaken by other available members.

I am informed that when consideration is given to the allocation and transfer of Garda members to and from any Division, 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’.

I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include, but are not limited to:

• Local and national crime trends and workloads
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies
• Minimum establishment statistics
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns