Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 279: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to expand the number of dogs available to An Garda Síochána in view of the low level of such useful resources here compared to many other countries internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the fact that the success rates of detections are acknowledged elsewhere and we currently have to bring in resources from outside the jurisdiction rather than deploying more of our own resources. [34541/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit consists 26 Garda dogs and is staffed by 2 Sergeants and 14 Gardaí. I have been further informed that the current profile of Garda dogs within the Garda Dog Unit is as follows: 14 General Purpose Dogs — trained in public order duties, tracking for missing persons, criminals and articles contaminated by human scent; six dogs trained in drugs detection and firearms residue detection; five dogs trained in explosives detection; and one dog trained in detecting the presence of dead bodies. I have also been informed that the Unit currently has two dogs being trained in tactical support and one dog in blood detection.

Garda management state that it is proposed to expand the Garda Dog Unit nationwide on a regional basis. As part of this a pilot in the southern division (based in Cork and Limerick) has just been completed and will now be evaluated. Garda management further state that it is satisfied with the current level of expertise available within, and being developed by, the Garda dog unit.