Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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243. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been secured to update the batons available to gardaí; when batons were last updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10234/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In accordance the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources, including equipment and specialist equipment, is also a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. Other than in the case of certain less-lethal weapons, as Minister I have no role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities the current ASP baton utilised by An Garda Síochána was introduced in 2007.

I am further informed that there are currently no plans to introduce a new baton and that as a result, no extra funding has been sought in that regard.

More generally, the Deputy may be interested to know that the resources provided to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an unprecedented allocation of €1.88 billion for 2020. A substantial programme of capital investment is also being undertaken in An Garda Síochána, including an investment of €342 million in the Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021, an investment of €46 million in the Garda fleet for the period 2016-2021 and a very significant investment in the Garda estate over the same period. Decisions on the best use of these resources are operational matters for the Commissioner.