Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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288. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of automatic number plate recognition units in operation; the cost per unit in tabular form; his plans for its expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31059/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be appreciate, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the procurement of ICT products and services, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister, have no role in the matter.

I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was introduced into An Garda Síochána in 2008 and is fitted in official Garda vehicles which are allocated around the country and used on a daily basis to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, particularly on our roads network. I understand that there are currently some 99 Garda vehicles fitted with ANPR, 89 of which are in the Garda Traffic Corps and that this number can vary on a daily basis having regard to operational requirements.

It costs approximately €6000 to purchase and fit an ANPR system to a vehicle and I am informed that the capacity and capabilities of the technology are kept under regular review by senior Garda Management.

The Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 – 2021 for An Garda Síochána has identified a number of areas for expansion of ANPR including:

- increasing the number of ANPR units deployed;

- the addition of more ‘watch-lists’ in order to remove a greater number of dangerous drivers and defective vehicles from the roads;

- examining the introduction of fixed ANPR sites at strategic locations across the roads network, in addition to using portable ANPR units while patrolling;

- working with the National Roads Authority, Port Authorities, Local Authorities and private car park operators in order to access data from their ANPR systems, as well as CCTV systems operating on the motorway network.