Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the next stages for advancing Macroom’s new Garda station; if her Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32466/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the construction of the new Garda station at Macroom is to proceed on the basis of a major Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which also includes the construction of a new Garda Station in Clonmel.

I am advised that planning permission for the new Garda station in Macroom has recently been approved.

An Garda Síochána continues to engage with my Department, the OPW and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), which is the procuring authority for PPPs, to progress this project which will include the tender process, contract agreement and construction, with a view to the tender process for this Garda PPP project commencing in 2022.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the strength of An Garda Síochána at present is sufficient to meet the policing requirements in all areas throughout the country both urban and rural; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36758/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I further understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now approximately 14,500 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.

Taken together, this increase in the number of Garda members and staff is delivering a significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide.

This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significantcapital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This will ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet.

While Budget 2021 provided for the recruitment of up to 620 new Gardaí this year, the Commissioner has indicated that, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment is likely to be of the order of 450 trainees spread over four intakes in 2021. However, 2021 intake numbers will be kept under review, in particular having regard to progress against COVID-19 and the vaccination rollout. The first intake (of 150) commenced training in the Garda College on 24 May. The remaining scheduled commencement dates, subject to public health restrictions, are 19 July 2021, 20 September 2021 and 15 November 2021.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána is suitably resourced, trained and equipped to implement the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020; if her attention has been drawn to reports that some Garda stations have advised they are not in a position to manage it yet; if a directive can be sent to the force in that regard to ensure the law is available to all who may need to rely on the protections within it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36781/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Harassment, Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 was the subject of a HQ Directive 11/21, which issued in May 2021. The directive provides members with the necessary instruction regarding the implementation of the new offences.

The Commissioner further assures me that both the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau are there should any Garda member require any assistance or support in prosecuting these offences.