Garda transfers from Dublin West
Paul Donnelly objected to 18 Gardaí being transferred from the understaffed K district to city-centre EU Presidency duties after the area had finally received 20 recruits. The Taoiseach welcomed the recruitment and said he would seek clarification from the Minister, noting that operational deployment rests primarily with the Garda Commissioner.
The K district is one of the busiest policing districts in the State, covering Blanchardstown, Cabra and Finglas. Unfortunately, we were short-changed with regard to the number of Garda recruits we received until the last batch, when we got 20 new gardaí, which was very welcome. However, I am informed that 18 gardaí are being transferred to the city centre for the next six months for the EU Presidency. This is a shocking decision for the people of Dublin West. We have had a decade in which we lacked gardaí and just when we thought the numbers were being resolved, 18 gardaí are to be pulled out of Dublin West for six months. Does the Taoiseach not agree that this is a disproportionate number to be pulled from such a busy district and that it will compromise community safety in our area for the next six months?
Comment on this
The allocation of 20 new gardaí to the area is very good news and a manifestation of the progress we are making in recruiting more and more gardaí. The numbers applying to go into Templemore are in or around 200 now per term, so that is good news. I will engage with the Minister. It is primarily an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner but I will seek clarity on the background to what is happening here.