Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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541. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda stations around the country that cannot use the PULSE system due to lack of broadband in their area, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54972/17]

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 Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes, and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis. Accordingly, the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 sets out a series of initiatives which will enable An Garda Síochána deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.

I understand from the Garda authorities that as at 29 November 2017 there were 426 stations networked and 138 stations that are not connected to the Garda Network. 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 these remaining sites 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.