An Garda Síochána

Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Ceisteanna (483)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

483. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardai by rank attached to each divisional scenes of crime unit as of 22 April 2024; and if she will provide same figures as of 30 June 2022, in tabular form. [18909/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 30 April 2024 where you sought: "the number of gardai by rank attached to each divisional scenes of crime unit as of 22 April 2024; and if she will provide same figures as of 30 June 2022, in tabular form."

You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garcia Sfochana and contact you again when the requested information was available.

As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Sfochana Act 2005 as amended, the Garcia Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garcia business. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garcia Divisions. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.

I am assured, however, that Garcia management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

The appendix to this letter, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out in tabular form, the number of Garda1by rank by region, assigned to divisional Scenes of Crime Units as of 30 June 2022 and 22 April 2024.

It should be noted * denotes a figure less than ten. I am advised that the Garcia authorities will not report on numbers that are less than 10 for operational reasons.

I trust this information is of assistance.

APPENDIX

Regional totals - Divisional Scenes of Crime Units

			30-Jun-22			22-Apr-24
Region	Garda	Sergeant	D/lnspector	Garda	Sergeant	D/lnspector
Southern Region	33	*	*	30	*	*
Eastern Region	33	*	0	33	*	0
DMR (all divisions)	46	*	0	45	*	0
North Western Region	27	*	0	30	*	0