Review finds important progress in policing delivery during 2025, but highlights challenges in workforce capacity and performance management, and the lack of a Garda National Children and Younger Person’s Plan.
The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) has today published its 2025 Annual Assessment of Policing Performance, providing an independent evaluation of An Garda Síochána’s delivery of policing services and progress against the Garda Síochána Annual Policing Plan 2025 and the Policing Priorities for 2025.
The assessment found that of the 18 targets contained in the Annual Policing Plan, ten were reported as “on target”, seven as “at risk” and one as “off target”, relating to community engagement.
The report acknowledges significant progress in a number of areas, including support for victims of crime, disruption of organised crime networks, enhanced community safety engagement, and the continued development of specialist policing capabilities.
The assessment also highlights challenges that continue to affect An Garda Síochána’s ability to fully deliver on its strategic objectives, including staffing pressures, delays in workforce planning initiatives, the absence of an effective performance management system, and the need for greater consistency in community engagement and victim services.
The report is based on detailed analysis of performance reports and data provided by An Garda Síochána, alongside extensive engagement with garda personnel and external stakeholders.
Key Findings:
- There is continued success in identifying, targeting and disrupting organised crime, supported by strong cooperation with Europol and international law enforcement partners.
- High Visibility Patrols in Dublin have increased public visibility and contributed to intelligence-led policing activity targeting local criminal groups.
- The target to complete a National Children and Young Person’s Plan was not achieved during 2025.
- Burglaries have decreased significantly since the introduction of Operation Thor, but retail theft continues to increase, particularly in Dublin.
- Victims and Vulnerable Persons: The publication of policies and procedures underpinning the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 and the signing of a data-sharing agreement with Tusla represent important developments in victim support.
- The mandatory domestic abuse call-back rate increased to 77% in 2025, although significant variations remain between garda divisions.
- While progress has been made in strengthening cybercrime capabilities, challenges remain in responding to corruption, fraud and economic crime, with staffing and resourcing gaps continuing to affect specialist units.
- The findings of the Crowe Review of Roads Policing highlighted concerns regarding performance management, supervision and accountability within parts of the organisation.
- The introduction of in-career vetting and substance misuse testing has yet to be implemented.
- Key workforce initiatives, including a Strategic Workforce Plan, Training Strategy and Human Resource Information System (HRIS), remain outstanding.
- An Garda Síochána has demonstrated strong engagement with Local Community Safety Partnerships, supported by the establishment of a dedicated national support office.
Commenting on the report, PCSA Chair Elaine Byrne said:
“This assessment provides an independent and transparent overview of how An Garda Síochána is performing against its commitments under the Annual Policing Plan and the Policing Priorities.
While the report highlights significant achievements during 2025, particularly in tackling organised crime, supporting community safety partnerships and improving services for victims, it also identifies several areas requiring continued focus and improvement.
Workforce capacity, specialist resourcing, performance management and community engagement remain critical issues. Addressing these challenges will be essential to ensuring that An Garda Síochána can continue to meet the evolving policing and community safety needs of the public.”