Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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468. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reform Garda technology to ensure that gardaí can access real time information regarding the status of a driver licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1321/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Mobility Strategy aims to provide frontline members with greater connectivity to back-office systems harnessing the power of mobile technology and forms part of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021. A pilot programme was operated in Limerick Garda Division from December 2017 to September 2018, with very positive feedback.

A key application developed for the Mobility pilot was a Traffic App, which allowed members of An Garda Síochána to search for vehicle information by entering a vehicle registration number into the mobile phone. The app gathered information recorded on PULSE in respect of the vehicle, including tax status, ownership information and driver disqualifications. The utilisation of mobile devices enable Garda members to be more efficient and effective by having mobile access to relevant core policing applications, a wide-range of up-to-date information and the ability to input and update information in real time.

A total of €1.5 million was provided for in current spending in Budget 2019 to allow the roll-out of the Mobility project to commence.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently produced an informative YouTube video on the Garda Mobility Strategy: .