POSITION PAPER ON
Garda Staffing Levels IN COUNTY KILDARE
Catherine Murphy TD | October 2012
Garda Staffing Levels in Kildare MAIN ARGUMENT
The present ratio of Garda staffing resources to division population around Ireland is greatly unbalanced from division to division. The deficit in service provision is particularly pronounced in certain divisions compared to the national ratio, which can be seen to be clustered in the Greater Dublin commuter belt, and to a slightly lesser extent in southern Leinster. The deficit in service provision can also be observed in areas with consistently high population growth levels since the 1970s. With the exception of the Dublin and Limerick areas, there appears to be only a weak connection between recorded crime statistics and levels of service.
SUMMARY POINTS TO NOTE Certain areas suffer a severely disproportionate service compared to others. The most recent available statistics show that Divisions Kildare and Meath fare worst when population to Garda resources are taken in consideration. Kildare has a rate of 666 persons per Garda, and Meath 622 persons per Garda. This compares drastically with Sligo/Leitrim, which as a ratio of 319 persons per Garda – almost half the level of service in Kildare.
The population of the Sligo/Leitrim division is 46% of the total population of Kildare (2011), yet the division has almost the same number of GardaĂ stationed (316 in Kildare and 305 in Sligo/Leitrim).
Using the most recently available statistics, if the same rate in Kildare of 666 persons per Garda was applied uniformly across the entire country, the force would need to shed approximately 4,800 GardaĂ. This equates to roughly 40% of the present national force.
The statistics show a level of divergence that cannot necessarily be accounted for by selected crime rates alone, aside from the areas of Limerick and Dublin. In direct comparisons on selected common offences between Kildare and Sligo/Leitrim, Mayo and Clare, no apparent reason for maintaining such differing staffing levels is clear.
Detected incidents of the selected common crimes reveal either a similar or significantly worse level of criminality in Kildare to the other divisions selected. When detected burglaries and drug possessions for Kildare and Sligo/Leitrim in particular are compared (2010), a very pronounced difference can be seen. Kildare has twice the rate of detected drug possessions per 100,000 people in 2010, and over twice the rate of detected burglaries per 100,000 people in the same year compared to Sligo/Leitrim. Kildare also compares less favourably in the same statistics with Clare and Mayo.
Of the divisions selected, Kildare has either an average or high rate of recorded incidents per 100,000 people in criminal damage, drug possessions, thefts and burglaries. Only assaults appears to be at a level which is comparably better than the other divisions selected.
It is apparent that the worst affected areas in terms of inadequate Garda resources are also the same areas which have experienced rapid population growth. The populations of Kildare and Meath have grown 42% and 43% respectively in the 20 year period from 1991 to 2011.
Kildare in particular has experienced high population growth consistently from the 1960s to the present day, not solely in latter years like much of the rest of the country. The population of Kildare rose from 64,420 in 1961 to 210,312 in 2011 (+326%) one of the highest growth rates in the country over that period.
Over the same period, the population of Sligo rose by 11,832 to 65,393 (+22%), the population of Leitrim fell by 1,672 to 31,798 (-5%), that of Clare rose by 58.5% and that of Mayo rose by 5.8%.
A. Geographic Representation of Garda Staffing Ratios
The commuter belt counties of Kildare and Meath are worst affected, with significant problems in adjacent counties such as Offaly, Laois, Kilkenny and Carlow.
B. Persons per Garda by Division (March 2012)
Division CAVAN / MONAGHAN CLARE CORK CITY CORK COUNTY NORTH CORK COUNTY WEST DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION EAST DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION NORTH DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION NORTH CENTRAL DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION SOUTH DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION SOUTH EAST DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION WEST DONEGAL GALWAY KERRY KILDARE KILKENNY/CARLOW LAOIS / OFFALY LIMERICK LOUTH MAYO MEATH ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD SLIGO / LEITRIM TIPPERARY WATERFORD WESTMEATH WEXFORD WICKLOW Totals
Total Gardaí (2012)
348 296 678 303 310 438 762 653 594 718 756 436 585 307 316 300 292 619 296 304 296 277 305 376 290 252 268 337 11712
Combined figures for Dublin & Cork
Population (2011)
Persons per Garda
133,666 117,196
384.10 395.93
1281
519,032
404.47
3921
1,273,069
324.05
161,137 250,653 145,502 210,312 150,031 157,246 191,809 122,897 130,638 184,135 103,065 97,191 158,754 113,795 86,164 145,320 136,640 4,588,252
369.58 428.47 473.95 665.54 500.10 538.51 309.87 415.19 429.73 622.08 372.08 318.66 422.22 392.40 341.92 542.24 405.46 391.76
C. 20 Year Population Growth levels by Area
Garda Division 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Kildare Meath Wexford Laois / Offaly Carlow / Kilkenny Kerry Mayo Galway Tipperary Louth Wicklow Cork Clare Waterford Cavan / Monaghan Longford / Roscommon Donegal Westmeath Dublin Sligo / Leitrim Limerick
122,656 105,370 102,069 110,808
20-Year Percentage Growth 42% 43% 30% 30%
March 2012 Garda Strength 316 296 268 292
150,031
114,577
24%
300
500 *
145,502 130,638 250,653 158,754 122,897 136,640 519,032 117,196 113,795
121,894 110,713 180,364 132,772 90,724 97,265 410,369 90,918 91,624
16% 15% 28% 16% 26% 29% 21% 22% 19%
307 304 585 376 296 337 1,291 296 290
474 * 430 428 422 415 405 402 396 392
133,369
104,089
15%
348
383
103,065
82,193
20%
277
372
161,137 86,164 1,273,069 97,191 191,809
128,117 61,880 1,025,304 80,057 161,956
20% 28% 19% 18% 16%
2011 Census
1991 Census
210,312 184,135 145,320 157,246
436 252 3,921 305 619 Average
Persons per Garda 666 * 622 * 542 * 539 *
370 342 325 319 310 431
D. Selected Offences, 2010
E. Population Growth in Selected Counties, 1961 -2011
250,000 200,000 Kildare Meath
150,000
Leitrim Sligo
100,000
Mayo 50,000
Clare
0 1961
1971
1981
1986
1991
1996
2002
2006
2011
Kildare Meath Leitrim Sligo Mayo Clare
1961 1971 1981 64,420 71,977 104,122 65,122 71,729 95,419 33,470 28,360 27,609 53,561 50,275 55,474 123,330 109,525 114,766 73,702 75,008 87,567
1986 1991 1996 2002 2006 2011 116,247 122,656 134,992 163,944 186,335 210,312 103,881 105,370 109,732 134,005 162,831 184,135 27,035 25,301 25,057 25,799 28,950 31,798 56,046 54,756 55,821 58,200 60,894 65,393 115,184 110,713 111,524 117,446 123,839 130,552 91,344 90,918 94,006 103,277 110,950 116,885
State
2,818,341
3,540,643
2,978,248
3,443,405
3,525,719
3,626,087
3,917,203
4,239,848
4,581,269
SOURCES
All-Island Research Observatory Crime Mapping Module, National University of Ireland Maynooth www.airo.ie [accessed October 2012) Central Statistics Office of Ireland, 2012 “Garda Recorded Crime Statistics 2006 – 2010”, Government of Ireland ISSN 2009-0676 Central Statistics Office of Ireland, Census Data www.cso.ie [accessed October 2012] Parliamentary Questions (www.oireachtas.ie)
20th September 2011 1st December 2011 7th February 2012 14th February 2012 13 March 2012 27th March 2012 8th May 2012 8th May 2012 26th June 2012 26 June 2012 10th July 2012 19th September 2012 19th September 2012
[24605/11] [38166/11] [6303/12] [7652/12] [14066/12] [16506/12] [22727/12] [22732/12] [30591/12] [30760/12] [33400/12] [39448/12] [39449/12]
APPENDIX I
NATIONAL GARDA STRUCTURE _______________________________________________
Source: An Garda Síochána website.
APPENDIX II
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS _______________________________________________
20th September 2011[24605/11] 64. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda Commissioner is required to produce service level agreements; if so, the role population figures, existing crime rates and so on play in determining the resource allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Deputy Alan Shatter: The levels of service to be provided by the Garda Síochána are set out each year in the annual policing plan which is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The annual plan sets out the policing priorities for that year, the key actions to be taken in respect of each priority and the performance indicators by which the outcomes can be measured. The allocation of Garda personnel is determined by Garda management using a distribution model which takes into account a number of factors, including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each Garda division. Deputy Catherine Murphy: If that was the case, I certainly would not be asking this question. I have no confidence whatsoever in the equitable sharing of resources, particularly in view of the blunt instrument that is the public sector recruitment embargo. Areas that have a disproportionately low number of gardaí relative to their populations do worse in such an environment. Commuter belt areas that have grown rapidly in recent years are a case in point. Does the Minister think it fair that a county such as Kildare, with a population of 209,000, has 328 gardaí, while the combined area of Sligo-Leitrim, with a population of less than 100,000, has three gardaí more? No matter how one looks at it, counties Meath, Kildare, Wicklow or Wexford are the kinds of places which are not getting a fair share. I believe criminals themselves are reading the numbers because there have been some high profile happenings in recent years that virtually invite the committing of crimes in places known to have a low ratio of gardaí. One cannot police without adequate numbers. Deputy Alan Shatter: I reiterate that these are operational decisions made by the Garda Commissioner. In that context it is worth bringing to the Deputy’s attention that the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including equipment, and the allocation of personnel to various units are a matter for the Garda
Commissioner to decide upon on the basis of his identified operational requirements. These vary from location to location. The deployment of Garda personnel throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operation of strategy, is continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The Deputy may not be aware that Garda management is aided by what is known as the Garda establishment re-distribution model. The Commissioner advises that this model indicates the most effective means to distribute Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account many different policing variables, including socioeconomic factors, census information, crime trends and the minimum establishment required for each district. The allocation of Garda personnel is determined by these factors which also take account of the policing requirements of each division. This very much influences the approach taken by the Garda Commissioner. [720]As Minister for Justice and Equality, it is not my role to direct the Commissioner as to how many gardaí to allocate to individual districts or Garda stations. The needs in these areas can vary from time to time, depending on crime levels, instances that occur or special events that may give rise to concern. Deputy Catherine Murphy: I have made the point, as have other Deputies in my area, of meeting very senior gardaí, up to the rank of assistant commissioner. They do not disagree with us. It appears to be that what one has one holds. In the context of an embargo, there is no commitment to redeploying people. I have been listening to this for years. I now have an opportunity to ask the question or put the point whereas for many of those years I did not. I do not accept that the model is working. It certainly does not work in developing areas. Deputy Alan Shatter: The review taking place throughout the Garda Síochána, and the feedback sought by the Garda Commissioner from his senior officers last June to a document produced to them, give senior officers in every area an opportunity to feed into the process. In so far as any senior officer is of the belief that his or her station and the needs of the community he or she serves are not being adequately considered, or in so far as he or she believes there should be a redistribution of the resources of the force in the context of manpower, womanpower or patrol cars, those senior officers have a unique opportunity to feed into that process. Even without it, if senior officers have a complaint to make or a concern to express, they have a direct line to the Garda Commissioner. I reiterate that it is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I refer to an earlier question. The police committees that involve co-operation between senior members of the Garda and members and officials of local authorities provide a very useful forum for local communities to focus on their concerns, or for a senior member of the Garda to raise concerns openly about differences being experienced in any particular station, thereby engaging with local elected representatives. All of this can feed into ensuring we have a better, more responsive and community-oriented police service. That was the initial purpose of providing these committees, to encourage that type of interaction between members of the Garda locally, local communities and elected representatives.
1st December 2011 [38166/11] 130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he can take account of the inadequate facilities at the Garda station in Clane, County Kildare, which lacks wheelchair access or any private interview space for victims of personal crime including sexual and domestic incidents, has a unisex toilet which contains the only source of water for handwashing, drinking and cleaning utensils, and lacks basic changing or shower facilities to support gardaí on duty in inclement weather or on poor terrain; if he will report on the progress of plans to refit the empty adjacent station building which has stood idle for nearly three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The programme of refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. This programme is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Garda authorities that proposals in relation to the refurbishment of Clane Garda station are being developed. These proposals will be progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána’s identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources.
7th February 2012 [6303/12] 357. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposals to redevelop Clane Garda station, County Kildare, in view of the inadequate facilities for both staff and members of the public; if the station has been identified as a high accommodation priority by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. This programme is progressed in co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for capital expenditure in relation to Garda accommodation. The Deputy will recall from the reply I gave to her in Parliamentary Question No. 130 on 1st December 2011 that proposals in relation to the refurbishment of Clane Garda station are being developed. The Garda authorities have indicated that these proposals will be taken forward with reference to An Garda Síochána’s overall accommodation priorities and the availability of resources.
14th February 2012 [7652/12] 480. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí employed at the end of 2011 by region; the grades in which they were employed; the numbers who have applied under the early retirement scheme by location and grade; the minimum number of gardaí deemed necessary for the security of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí by rank and Regions, on the 31 December 2011, was as set out in the table hereunder: A/Comm C/Supt Supt Insp Sgt Gda Dublin Metropolitan Region 1 7 22 98 527 3,555 Northern Region 1 3 18 26 219 1,155 South Eastern Region 0 4 15 21 175 1,027 Eastern Region 0 4 14 29 212 1,259 Southern Region 0 4 18 39 322 1,874 Western Region 1 3 22 22 208 1,242
Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the force prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served for at least 30 years and they have reached 50 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the Force on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served at least 30 years and have reached 55 years of age. In both cases members must retire once they reach 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who are over 50 years of age and do not have 30 years service may also avail of a cost neutral early retirement (C.N.E.R.) scheme. Their pension and lumps sums are actuarially reduced depending on their length of service and age at the time of retirement. Almost all Gardaí take voluntary retirement i.e. they leave before the compulsory retirement age of 60 years of age, rather than early retirement. In 2010 there were 353 voluntary retirements, 9 compulsory retirements and 1 CNER, and in 2011 there 428 voluntary retirements, 8 compulsory retirements and 2 CNER’s. Public servants, including Gardaí, who retire on or before 29 February 2012 will receive pension benefits based on their salary scales applicable on 31 December 2009 andthey, like others presently in receipt of public service pensions, will pay a Public Service Pension Reduction (P.S.P.R.) on their pensions thereafter. This reduction is a scaled percentage of their actual pension. Public servants,
including Gardaí, who retire after 29 February will receive pension benefits based on their then current salary scales (as already affected by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009) but they will not pay the Public Service Pension Reduction on their pensions. I have been informed by the Commissioner that since 1 January 2010, 3 members have availed of the CNER scheme, namely a Garda in Charlestown, a Sergeant in Clara and Sergeant in Garda Headquarters. There is no mathematical formula for determining the optimum strength of the Garda Síochána, or indeed any police force. Instead, it is a matter of Government policy, taking into account all the relevant factors such as population and the crime rate, as well of course as the availability of resources.
13 March 2012 [14066/12] 455. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to review, in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner, the current strategic deployment of gardaĂ around the country; if so, if he intends to address the current large disparity in Garda numbers from region to region as part of such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no function in this process. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored and reviewed where necessary, in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
27th March 2012 [16506/12] 459. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide up to date figures detailing the total deployment of gardaí by region, division, district and sub-district across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as of 29 February 2012, the latest date for which figure are readily available, was 13,635. In addition, as of the same date, there was 935 Garda Reserves. The spreadsheets provided to the Deputy show the distribution of 11,712 Gardaí and 935 Garda Reserve members, by Division, District and Garda Station. There are a further 1,923 Gardaí attached to the various national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, Liaison and Protection and other such units.
8th May 2012 [22727/12] 300. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, in view of the Garda Recorded Crime Statistics report published by the Central Statistics Office recently, he will explain the reasons up to threequarters of burglaries have gone undetected by gardaí in the period in question; if he can provide statistics to show the level of burglary detection broken down by each Garda division nationwide in the same period or part thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I share the Deputy’s concern at the incidence of burglaries and other property crimes. Insofar as detection rates are concerned, the most recent CSO analysis shows a detection rate for burglary in the region of 25% for 2010. It is important to note that detection rates do vary according to the nature of the crime and that this is in line with international experience. Detection rates are often found to be lower for certain offences, such as burglaries and some other property crimes, as these generally only come to light after the event and after the offender has left the scene. These offences are inherently more difficult to investigate than some others. While our statistical system is not directly comparable with that of other countries, in the UK, for example, the difficulties presented in detecting burglaries are reflected in the fact that the sanction detection rate for burglaries in England and Wales in 2010/2011 was recorded as 13%. Notwithstanding the investigative challenges faced, however, the Garda is responding effectively and the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has recently announced the introduction of a wide range of measures aimed at tackling gangs involved in burglaries. These measures are encompassed in Operation Fiacla, which is particularly focused on identifying and targeting mobile gangs involved in burglaries around the country so as to disrupt their activities and bring them before the Courts. Specific burglary related initiatives are being implemented in each Garda Region in support of Operation Fiacla. I am conscious of the deep distress which burglary can cause to householders, and to the broader impact it can have in terms of fear of crime in our communities and therefore welcome the fact that the Garda Commissioner is deploying the substantial resources available to him in a targeted and strategic approach to confronting those who are engaging in this form of criminality. In relation to the particular statistics requested by the Deputy, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency,
and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.
8th May 2012[22732/12] 99. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the principles and the reasons underlying Garda staffing deployment across the country; the process by which gardaí are deployed; the reason Garda numbers per head of population vary so much between different Garda divisions; if the current deployment of gardaí accurately reflects any specific, centrally coordinated deployment plan; if he will outline the process by which the annual police plan is developed between his Department and An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I should first of all say that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation, and I have no function in the matter. I am advised by the Commissioner that, in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors. These of course include population, but also other factors such as workload, response times, crime trends and the overall policing needs of each Division.Garda Management keeps the allocation of all resources, including distribution of personnel, under review to ensure that the most effective policing service possible is provided to the public. The development of the annual policing plan is governed by section 22(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This requires the Commissioner, before November each year, to submit to the Minister a policing plan for the following year. On approval, the Minister must cause a copy of the plan to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The policing plan for 2012 was laid before both Houses on 5 December 2011.
26th June 2012 [30591/12] 433. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of GardaĂ available in each region who have been trained to conduct specialist child interviews as part of the joint protocol with the Health Service Executive; the resources available to them to assist in the carrying out of such interviews; his future plans for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Child Specialist Interviewers trained to conduct interviews with children and vulnerable adults, including persons with intellectual disability, per region, as at 22 June 2012 is as set out hereunder: Region D.M.R. Eastern South Eastern Western Southern Northern N.S.S. Total
Number 20 13 12 10 8 8 9 80
Garda personnel, with personnel from the HSE (Children and Family Services Division) undergo an intensive training programme to become competent to deal with all victims of serious crime occurrences but particularly children under 14 years of age and persons with intellectual disabilities. Section 16(1)(b) of the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 provides for the video recording of statements made by such persons, in respect of whom certain offences are alleged to have been committed. Subject to approval by the court, the video recording may then be played at any criminal court proceedings, thus eliminating the necessity for the child / vulnerable adult to give direct evidence in the normal fashion. Garda Specialist Interviewers are required and facilitated to give priority to the interviewing of children and persons with intellectual disability over other duties. Their training entails an intensive four week course that commences a two-year personal experiential learning programme. Specialist Interviewers undergo professional supervision by Garda trainers of the Crime Training
Faculty at the Garda College to ensure that good practice is maintained while they are employed in that role. Seven suitably equipped and dedicated interview suites have been secured at strategic locations throughout the country and are specifically designed to provide appropriate facilities for these interviews.
26 June 2012 [30760/12] 446. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide detailed information on the current Garda vehicle fleet, including the manufacturer, model and current distribution of vehicles by district and division; the current arrangements governing the use of Garda vehicles, including the upper acceptable mileage and upper acceptable age for use as Garda vehicles; the number of vehicles which are nearing these upper limits currently in use; his plans to purchase new vehicles in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I have sought information from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters raised in this Question and I will respond further to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
10th July 2012 [33400/12] 369. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will explain the reason there are delays to secure Garda clearance; if there are actions underway to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for over 19,000 organisations in Ireland who are registered with the GardaĂ for this purpose and which employ/engage persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. The current average processing time at the GCVU is 3 weeks approximately. This, in my view, is well within acceptable limits. Seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can, however, result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. Registered organisations have been advised to take account of these processing times, and the possible need for additional information to be provided in some cases, in their recruitment and selection processes. I would remind the Deputy that since I became Minister I have taken a number of measures to ensure that the time it takes for the processing of vetting applications improves significantly. I remain very conscious of the need to keep the time required to obtain a vetting to the minimum possible.
QUESTION NO: 5 DÁIL QUESTION ad d r essed t o t h e Min ist er f o r Ju st ice an d Eq u alit y (Mr . Sh at t er ) b y Dep u t y Cat h er in e Mu r p h y f o r PRIORITY o n Wednesday, 19th September, 2012. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the factors which are taken into consideration when the annual policing plan is being prepared; if population growth trends and projections across the country that have been taken into account when previous policing plans have been prepared, especially with regard to the geographical distribution of Gardaí; when he expects the next policing plan to be presented to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Catherine Murphy
REPLY. By the end of October each year, the Commissioner is obliged under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to submit to the Minister a policing plan for the following year which sets out the proposed arrangements for the policing of the State. The approved plan is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
When preparing the plan, the Commissioner must under the Act have regard to a number of matters, including the resources available to the Garda Síochána, the priorities for the Garda Síochána as determined by the Minister, relevant Government policy, and the Garda Síochána's own strategy statement.
In addition, the Act provides that the policing plan must include details of certain types of proposals, including proposals to open or close a Garda station, establish or dissolve a Garda national unit, alter certain Garda geographical boundaries, or establish or relocate certain Garda headquarters.
The policing plan for 2013 has not yet been submitted to the Minister, and it would be premature to speculate at this stage what it might
contain, although it is expected to contain proposals for the further rationalisation of the Garda station network.
Clearly, in drawing up arrangements for the policing of the State each year the Commissioner and his senior management team take all relevant factors into account, including population, crime levels and trends, and policing priorities. The objective is to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the most effective policing service is provided to the public.
QUESTION NO: 161 Dﾃ！L QUESTION ad d r essed t o t h e Min ist er f o r Ju st ice an d Eq u alit y (Mr . Sh at t er ) b y Dep u t y Cat h er in e Mu r p h y f o r WRITTEN o n Wednesday, 19th September, 2012. * To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there is a variance in the numbers of stationed Gardaﾃｭ per capita across Garda districts; his views on whether there has been a significant and consistent failure to take population growth trends into account when policing plans have been prepared and that this is the primary reason that there is a large variance in Garda resources around the country; if he will confirm that population growth trends have been taken into account for the current policing plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Catherine Murphy
REPLY. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the Garda Sﾃｭochﾃ｡na and the Minister has no direct role or function in that matter.
In drawing up arrangements for the policing of the State each year the Commissioner and his senior management team take all relevant factors into account, including population, the geography of the areas to be policed, crime levels and trends, and policing priorities. The objective is to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the most effective policing service is provided to the public.