Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources being allocated to An Garda Síochána to deal with the Covid-19 situation as restrictions ease. [23179/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.88 billion for 2020, as well as capital funding of over €116 million this year. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff and as a result, An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation with approximately 14,700 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the allocation of all Garda resources and I as Minister have no role in these matters.

In common with many other public service organisations An Garda Síochána has incurred additional expenditure related to Covid 19, including expenditure on Personal Protective Equipment, vehicles, and enhanced ICT capability.

These expenditure needs are being monitored on an ongoing basis in the context of overall management of the Garda Vote but I am satisfied that the necessary resources will be available to enable An Garda Síochána to continue to effectively fulfil its role in the evolving response to Covid 19.