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 the recruitment and distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however 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.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the table below sets out the number of Garda members in the posts as at 31 December each year and at 30 April 2023.
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023 (30 April)
|
Commissioner
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Deputy Commissioner
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
Assistant commissioner
|
9
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
Chief Superintendent
|
45
|
47
|
46
|
48
|
46
|
45
|
Superintendent
|
165
|
168
|
168
|
168
|
167
|
168
|
Inspector
|
297
|
379
|
438
|
410
|
465
|
442
|
Sergeant
|
1996
|
1966
|
1980
|
1881
|
2073
|
2042
|
Total
|
2514
|
2570
|
2643
|
2518
|
2762
|
2708
|