Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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185. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the status of the project to enhance network access to rural Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50748/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Programme prioritises ICT projects with the aim of fully embedding technology initiatives to improve the services delivered to communities by An Garda Síochána. In this context, I understand that there are currently 426 stations connected to the Garda Network and 138 stations that are not connected. Members in non-networked locations can contact the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) or an associated networked station if required.

A project was established under the Modernisation and Renewal Programme to enhance rural access to the Garda network by connecting the majority of the unconnected stations to the Garda Network. Where sites cannot be connected, for example where local broadband services are not yet available, other methods of providing members with network access which may include the provision of mobile technology are being explored.