Written answer
An Garda Síochána
119. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda members per 10,000 population in each county in each of the past five years and to date in 2026; and the counties in which the ratio of Garda members to population has declined over that period, in tabular form. [74664/26]
Comment on this
120. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of serving Garda members assigned to each Garda division and county at year-end in each of the past five years and to date in 2026; the numerical and percentage change over that period; and the divisions and counties which have experienced a reduction in Garda numbers during that period, in tabular form. [74663/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the recruitment and training of, and distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.
Information on Garda strengths nationally, including the number of Gardaí assigned to each division and station in each of the last five years is available on the Garda website, is regularly updated and can be accessed at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/
The Deputy should note that An Garda Síochána is not structured or aligned operationally to county boundaries and, as a result, figures by county are not available. I am assured by the Commissioner that when allocating Garda personnel and resources, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan. The requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.