Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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789. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to release additional funding for the issuing of mobile fingerprint devices to frontline gardaí. [18454/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of equipment among the various Garda divisions.  As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter. I understand however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use.

The resources provided by the Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels.  A record €1.88 billion has been allocated to the Garda Síochána Vote for 2020, in addition to over €116 million in capital investment this year. However, I am informed that An Garda Síochána has no immediate plans to issue mobile fingerprint scanning devices to operational Gardaí.

However, this option is being explored in the context of, and in conjunction with, the roll out of mobility devices to frontline Garda members.