Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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334. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide figures relating to the number of members of An Garda Síochána serving in the community policing unit and the regular unit in Drogheda Garda station from 2017 to 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23721/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains committed to improving safety and wellbeing for the community in Drogheda. Since the establishment of the Drogheda Implementation Board, the willingness and commitment of all stakeholders to working together has achieved, what I believe will be, lasting progress for Drogheda.

An Garda Síochána have continued to show immense dedication and diligence in tackling the criminal elements within the town and the surrounding areas, and to working with the community.

As the Deputy is aware, Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out across the country and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions.

The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within the division into four functional areas, one of the most important areas being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions.

The Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.

Community Policing Teams strategically manage and lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the Garda Community Policing Framework. Like most Garda members, those assigned to CPTs have dual functions. In addition to their strategic roles in their Community Policing Teams, part of which requires them to regularly update their Community Engagement Superintendent on the policing needs of their community, they are also front-line members. It is also important to note that CPTs draw on all front-line Gardaí to carry out community policing.

I very much welcome the interactive map launched late last year on the Garda website which is designed to allow the public to identify the local CPT in their area. This map will continue to develop in line with the continued roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 15 Community Gardaí assigned to Louth Division on 31 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available. This represents an increase of 25% since the end of December 2017, which is higher than the percentage increase for the total amount of Community guards nationwide over the same period.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Drogheda Garda station at end December 2017 up to end December 2023 and at 31 March 2024.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Drogheda Garda station at the end of December 2017 up to the end of December 2023, and on 29 February 2024, the latest figures available.