Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of detector dogs used by gardaí in east County Galway; if more such dogs are being sought for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41774/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. 

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and has a national remit. I am pleased to confirm that dog units have also been established in the Southern Region based at Togher Garda Station, Cork, and Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick. I understand that facilities for a future regional dog unit have also been included in the Western Region Garda Headquarters, Galway.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 25 Garda dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, of which three dogs are based in Henry Street, Limerick and three in Anglesea Street, Cork.

I am further informed that the Garda Dog Unit is a National Unit and frequently assists with operations in Divisions nationwide, including in Galway. However, I am informed that the records concerning their deployment are held in multiple locations and the research required to compile the number of times these dogs were used in the East of County Galway would necessitate the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda resources to compile.