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

163. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the facilities, technology and motorised transport available to An Garda Síochána is in keeping with best international practice in this regard; her expectation to address any such deficiencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35204/16]

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

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

The Government’s overarching commitment is to ensure a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. In furtherance of this, I recently announced that the Government had approved my proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel to be achieved by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 4,000 civilians and 2,000 Reserve members. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide-ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.

The Deputy will be aware of the significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. This investment will continue to provide the Gardaí with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. The Plan also provides an additional €205 million for investment in Garda ICT infrastructure.

Under the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016 - 2021, that I announced in October 2015 with my colleague the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, a number of new Garda Stations will be built and a significant number of others will be refurbished. In addition, over €100 million has been provided for new Divisional headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin and Wexford, as well as for a new Regional headquarters in Galway. Each of these projects are expected to be completed in 2017.

The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner launched the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 in June which takes on board the key findings of various reports into An Garda Síochána by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and expert groups, amongst others. The Programme is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges.