Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the latter question, members of the divisional protective service units received specific training initially. Some of it has been online. Owing to the relaxation of restrictions, there will be further training in person, working on very specific, sensitive and difficult issues. The training is extremely important because the staff working in the units are dealing with very difficult issues.

Training of gardaí overall continued throughout the pandemic, albeit in a hybrid format. It will continue. Very much part of my objective in supporting victims in their journey is ensuring training in this area for members of the Garda, those in the legal profession, the Judiciary and others who come into contact with victims or survivors. There is ongoing training. It is a question of more specialist training for those working in the divisional protective units, but it is important that everybody have training at a certain level, especially regarding this issue.

Capital expenditure is set at €270 million but we are considering a new capital budget that will project into the next five to ten years. We need to determine how needs and requirements fit into the new operational model being rolled out as part of the restructuring and the move from the district model to the new divisional model. The new model will include a focus on community policing and severe crime, but also on HR, finance and ensuring those who have specialist training in certain areas are doing the work they need to do. Of course, all these staff will need to be housed and to have the space in which to do their work. The capital plan will be announcing shortly will set out just how we will do that.