Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of dogs in the Garda Dog Unit; the cost of running the unit; the number of members assigned to the unit and their respective ranks; and the number of civilian personnel in the unit. [13184/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are 26 dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, 13 of which are general purpose search dogs. The remaining dogs perform specialised search functions related to searches for drugs, firearms and explosives, tactical searches and victim recovery. Although the Garda Dog Unit is primarily based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region it has a national remit and regularly conducts searches in other Garda Divisions.

The cost of running the Garda Dog Unit in 2006 was approximately €1.43 million. The total personnel strength of the Garda Dog Unit as at 30 March 2007 was 16, comprising two sergeants and 14 Gardaí. There are no civilian personnel are attached to the Garda Dog Unit at present.

In addition, a pilot project has been established in the Cork City Division and in the Limerick Division, with a view to full regional expansion of the unit. At present one Garda and two dogs are allocated on a pilot basis to each of these Divisions.