461. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice , further to Parliamentary Question No. 364 of 8 October 2024, which stated that there are 14 community gardaí in Louth, the number of community gardaí in Louth in each of the years, 2017 to 2024. [41537/24]

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.

The new model will provide more frontline Gardaí and increased Garda visibility, and will deliver a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within divisions 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 me 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 frontline members. It is also important to note that CPTs draw on all frontline Gardaí to carry out community policing.

There is an interactive map 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 rollout of the new Garda Operating Model.

Budget 2025 provides the highest ever allocation to An Garda Síochána – over €2.48 billion which is a 27% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of the end of June 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, the number of Community Gardaí assigned to the Louth Division in each year from 2017, to date in 2024, are as follows:

At the end of June this year, the latest date for which published figures are available, there were 707 Garda members assigned to Cavan-Monaghan-Louth Division. This represents an increase of over 16% since the end of 2015.

For the Deputy's information, the number of Community Gardaí by Division from 2008 until June 2024 is published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/

Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.