Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda stations 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. [5686/18]

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 am informed that a project was established under the Programme to enhance rural access to the Garda network by connecting the majority of these remaining sites to the Garda Network. Where stations cannot be connected, for example where local broadband services are not yet available, other methods of providing members with network access are being explored.

I am informed by Garda authorities that, as of 5 February 2017, 472 stations are networked, 15 are in the process of being networked and 77 stations currently cannot be networked due to lack of broadband infrastructure. Members in non-networked locations can contact the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) or an associated networked station if required.

Those stations which cannot be networked are listed below by Division: