Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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244. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Donegal Garda divisional protective services unit will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10235/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that 16 Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) are now operational across 15 Divisions.

I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to implement the roll-out of DPSUs nationwide and aims to ensure that a DPSU will be in operation within every Garda Síochána division as soon as possible. Roll-out of these Units will meet a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future, the four-year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that a competition for staffing of a DPSU in the Donegal Division was launched but that in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions, interviews for the positions have been postponed. I understand that that that these will be arranged to take place as soon as circumstances allow. I am further informed that a Sexual Assault Investigation Unit is currently operating in the Donegal Division, pending the establishment of a DPSU, and that procedures are in place to ensure all alleged sexual crimes reported to Gardaí in the Division are appropriately investigated.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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245. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when each remaining divisional protective services unit will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10236/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that 16 Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) are now operational across 15 Divisions.

I am assured that An Garda Síochána remains committed to implementing the roll-out of DPSUs nationwide and aims to ensure that a DPSU will be in operation within every Garda Division as soon as possible. Roll-out of these Units will meet a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future, the four-year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on the pace of progress and Gardaí inform me that in light of the pandemic, it is difficult to provide specific dates for establishment of the DPSUs in each of the remaining Garda Divisions. I am informed however that competition stage to permit for the staffing and establishment of DPSUs in these 13 Divisions has been reached and that Garda management will seek to conclude this process as soon as possible.

The Deputy will appreciate that existing arrangements for the investigation of sexual crimes continue in place, pending establishment of the DPSUs in the remaining Divisions.