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
I also understand that local and senior Garda Management are consulted during the allocation of personnel and are responsible for the specific deployment and assignment of duties being undertaken at divisional level. The situation remains closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the operating model of policing at divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda Resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána does not hold authorised figures for unfilled posts at both Garda and Sergeant uniform ranks within divisions.
I am also advised that the tables in the attached document set out the number of Garda members assigned to Kerry division at end June 2021 and 2022 and at end May 2023, the latest date for which figures are available. Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.
For the Deputy's information, and in the interest of transparency, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Garda Statistics
