Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Smyth. For my own brief contribution, I echo Deputy Smyth's contribution on the capital building and refurbishment programme. It is a necessary element of the budget. Has the Minister information on this particular €50 million that has been allocated? Is that specific to the two stations or is that the general budget for refurbishment costs countrywide? The Minister might provide more information on that.

Recruitment and retention is the obvious issue. My colleagues have covered it well at this stage. In those figures that are in the public domain, there is concern but it does not give a true account of the reasons why numbers have dropped off. I am aware of the numbers provided within this that a significant number of non-sworn members of An Garda Síochána have taken up roles, which has freed up additional gardaí. Is there a net figure, outside of the 600-odd reduction, for the number of gardaí who are available on the beat compared with the number of individuals who have left the force?

My other comment is on transport, vehicles and the budget allocated to the air wing of An Garda Síochána. Some 180 vehicles are to be purchased in 2023, which is welcome. Is it sufficient to deal with the issues with vehicles that we have raised? As the Minister knows, I have been a Member of the House for nearly 12 years and a member of this committee for nearly seven years out of those three terms. There is a perennial discussion about whether vehicles are fit for purpose. I wonder whether we have caught up with that with this sort of allocation. Will the helicopter that is being retired be sold? If so, is the Minister expecting a return on that? Will the Minister indicate the type of aircraft that is being purchased to replace the Britten-Norman aeroplane? I am an aviation geek and am asking the question while I am in the Chair. Deputy Pringle has some questions.