Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 280: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the deficiencies in the PULSE system. [5387/07]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 282: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to deal with the deficiencies or limitations of the PULSE system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5389/07]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 282 together.

I am assured by the Garda Authorities that PULSE, the primary IT system for An Garda Síochána, is operating very satisfactorily. Significant investment has been made to improve the availability and response times of the system and I am advised that as a result, over the course of the past year, there has been no unplanned downtime of the system.

The functionality of the system is continually being enhanced to accommodate new business requirements, policies and procedures as well as changes in legislation. Additional Garda stations have been added, with PULSE now available in 320 locations. Over 1,900 personal computers with Pulse are available to both Garda and civilian personnel. Last year alone, 79 new Stations were added to the network.

The deputy will also be aware that the Garda Information Services Centre, which was established last year in Castlebar, allows Gardaí, who would otherwise have to return to their stations to input data into the PULSE system, to log the information with the GISC, while remaining on the beat. Quality control and review of data is also managed by dedicated civilian staff at the GISC, thereby relieving Sergeants of this administrative task and allowing them to be deployed on more operational duties.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 281: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated cost of the PULSE system to date. [5388/07]

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

I have asked the Garda authorities to update the figures I supplied to the Deputy in response to a similar question (10576/06) raised by him last year. I will be in touch with Deputy as soon as these figures become available.