Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I thank the Deputy for that.

The following correspondence was received last week and while it is not flagged for discussion, clarifications were provided regarding evidence presented to the committee. It is No. 1306B, correspondence from Mr. Joseph Nugent, chief administrative officer, An Garda Síochána, dated 15 June 2022, providing information requested by the committee arising from our meeting with An Garda Síochána on 31 March 2022. As well as providing the follow-up information requested by the committee, the correspondence includes a request that the record be corrected in respect of information provided to the committee by the Commissioner in his opening statement.

The Commissioner stated 2020 gross expenditure was €1.94 billion and the figure for appropriations-in-aid was €115 million. This correspondence clarifies that the correct figure for gross expenditure is €1.93 billion - €0.01 billion less - and that the correct figure for appropriations-in-aid is €117 million. There is a difference in that the expenditure was not €1.94 billion but €1.93 billion. It was a genuine mistake by the Accounting Officer. The appropriations-in-aid was not €115 million but was €2 million higher than that. That is useful. In respect of the implementation of technology across the organisation, the Commissioner stated that 3,000 mobile data stations were provided to front-line gardaí. This correspondence clarifies that the number of mobile data stations is 2,500.

On the responses to the questions posed by the committee, we might follow up on the following. In relation to question 4, I propose that we request clarity as to how much of the overpayments in 2019 and 2020 have been recouped for each year and, in light of the €4.201 million in recoupments since 2017, details of the total amount of overpayments in each of the years from 2017 to 2020. On question 7, as the response states that expenditure on taking blood samples forms part of a number of services provided for under medical services and cannot be separated out, I propose we request a breakdown of medical services to the greatest level of detail possible. As regards question 8, the correspondence states that €15.5 million was spent on 9,000 mobile devices and apps. This works out at approximately €1,722 per device with apps. We will request further detail regarding that because it seems quite high, although these may be fairly elaborate devices. On question 12, as highlighted in an internal review of youth referral incidents, the correspondence states there were 16,877 cases in which no prosecution resulted between January 2010 and July 2017. Further detail on the types of reasons for the lack of prosecutions would be helpful.

Is it agreed to request the information as outlined? Agreed.

We accept the clarification or correction of the record from the Accounting Officer. That will be done. We will move on to category C, correspondence from and related to private individuals and any other correspondence. The first item is No. 1268 C, which comes from an individual on behalf of Louth Environmental Group. It is dated 25 May 2022 and encloses correspondence regarding funding for a coastal greenway in Dundalk, County Louth. At our meeting last week, we agreed to note this item, which is addressed to the clerk of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. Deputy Munster has flagged this item. I am sure she will have an interest in it.