Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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216. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her proposal to cut overtime in An Garda Síochána will have serious implications in combating violent crimes especially as these crimes are on an increase; her proposals for combating the increase of violent crimes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7438/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the detailed allocation of resources within An Garda Síochána, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I would however point out that the 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which, in addition to funding the recruitment of new Gardaí, also provides additional funding for Garda surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. This forms part of a programme of very considerable ongoing investment in Garda resources which will benefit all policing activities. I can assure the Deputy that I have no proposals to cut these resources.

In fact, earlier this year the Government moved decisively to strengthen the resources available to An Garda Síochána to deal with the violent criminals involved in organised criminal gangs through a special ring-fenced additional allocation of €5 million, including steps to establish a dedicated Armed Support Unit in Dublin. These measures are supporting concentrated policing measures in Dublin City and An Garda Síochána are implementing a robust response to violent criminals through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved.