Mayo gardaì numbers rise by 45 in five years

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed there are currently 348 gardaí assigned to the Mayo Division.

This represents an increase of 45 since the end of 2015.

A further 211 gardaì are assigned to the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) based in Castlebar.

The minister stated: "GISC was established by An Garda Síochána in Castlebar in 2005.

"I understand that it operates on a 24 hour and seven day a week basis, all throughout the year, with objectives including the reduction of time spent by operational members on administrative duties and improvement of the quality of data at An Garda Síochána.

"I am informed by An Garda Síochána that the GISC is staffed entirely by garda staff.

"I am advised that there are vacancies in GISC and that, while recruitment has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, An Garda Síochána continues to recruit garda staff in line with "A Policing Service for the Future", the implementation plan for the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

"I am further informed that a review of the functions of GISC has been carried out, as recommended by the Commission and that its recommendations and staffing implications are under consideration."

Minister McEntee outlined the details in response to two parliamentary questions by Mayo Deputy Alan Dillon.