Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a list of Garda stations that do not currently have PULSE access. [7616/17]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Tánaiste for details on how many Garda stations do not have access to the PULSE system.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I think I have put this on the record before. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently some 178 stations that are not connected to the Garda network.

5 o’clock

Members in non-networked locations can contact the Garda information services centre 24 hours a day to log an incident or access information from the PULSE system if required. As such, while those stations do not have direct access, they have an alternative in the 24 hour provision.

We have to move ahead and prioritise technology projects in An Garda Síochána. I brought the first working group together between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána to look at Garda IT requirements and we are now investing approximately €300 million in this area.

We have to introduce mobile technology solutions to allow operational gardaí to access core information including PULSE while on duty and away from Garda stations. Providing members with real-time information and mobile devices, as well as enabling investigation teams to collect and share information digitally, will improve the effectiveness of the service provided to communities.

The network will be expanded throughout 2017 to ensure that additional stations gain access to the relevant systems. Garda information systems such as PULSE will also be modernised to ensure that members have quick access to timely and accurate information.

The Government is certainly supporting them. When I had the working group in place, there was a commitment of over €205 million and that has been added to. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested by the Deputy and will revert to him when it is to hand.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When I asked about this matter in October, I was given the number of 167 stations, which was a clerical error because in January 2017 there were 187 stations without access. That is now down to 178, meaning that a handful of stations have been connected in recent. The Minister will say that this is an operational issue for An Garda Síochána, but the modernisation and renewal programme for the period 2016 to 2021 that is being rolled out by the force focuses more on rural stations which are not connected. The priority is to get those connected to the system through mobile technology. However, that is not always the case. In my county of Cork, over one third of stations are not yet connected to the PULSE system. As the Minister said, a great deal of funding has been invested in this area. Does she have any set figures on the number of stations she would like to see covered in 2017? How quickly will the roll out of the new modernisation and renewal programme take place?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is essential that we get to the point where gardaí have access not only to PULSE but to broader mobile technology solutions. It is essential. I have seen in other countries how police can access a whole range of information on their mobile phones. We must get to that point here. I knew when I became Minister that we needed this new investment. That is there and the issue is one of the priorities for the coming year. It is a priority under the Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme to which the Deputy referred as it must be because that is the shape of effective 21st century policing. Our gardaí must have access to the information they need in a speedy and efficient way.

I will try to get a detailed note on this for the Deputy and communicate directly with him as to the precise plans for the roll out in 2017. I agree with him that this has to be a priority area. It has been identified. I am very happy to share with him the precise detail of what is happening. I will ask the Garda Commissioner for a report on the progress being made and the targets for the next year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Questions Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, are in the names of Deputies Wallace, Boyd Barrett and Murphy O'Mahony, respectively. As the Members are not present, the questions cannot be taken.