Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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561. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost if 1,000 additional gardaí were recruited in each of the years 2022 to 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37612/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including recruitment of new members. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the estimated payroll cost of recruiting 1,000 Garda in each of the years 2022 to 2024.

The above figures are based on a Garda recruit entering training for 32 weeks before been attested and includes:

- €6.65 million for the first 32 weeks each year where new recruits undergo training during which time they receive basic allowances. 

- The remaining costs are paid on completion of the 32 weeks training. This includes Garda members moving to the first point of the pay scale when attested and an estimation of allowances that the members may qualify for depending on their assignments and employer’s PRSI. The workings assume that each member moves to Point 2 of the pay scale one year post attestation and point 3 of the pay scale two years post attestation. 

Non-pay costs are not included in the estimated figures.

The calculation is an estimate only as it must take account of several unknowns, including the actual date of recruitment and locations of any new Garda.

The estimate covers the period of training and subsequent years of employment to the end of 2024.

The estimate is based on current work schedules and pay scales, with the impact of scheduled pay rises in October 2021 and October 2022 taken into consideration.

It is important to note that the annual payroll costs would continue to increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year.

It should also be noted that the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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562. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided for the purchase of high-powered jet skis for the Garda water unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37613/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.  I am assured, 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 am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Water Unit Operational Support Services is based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region, and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, and is under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime.

I am further advised that the Garda Water Unit have currently no plans for the provision of jet skis as part of Garda Water Unit operational deployments.  The provision and allocation of all Garda Water Unit resources including two patrol boats and four rigid inflatable boats is under constant review, and applications for new resources are made in line with European marine policing best practices and the Garda Síochána procurement guidelines.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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563. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles, scramblers and similar types of vehicles seized by gardaí in each Garda division in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37614/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to tackling the issue of misuse of scramblers and similar vehicles.  My Department's Justice Plan 2021 commits to developing community-based responses in cooperation with stakeholders that provide positive alternatives for young people interested in scramblers and quad bikes. These will be supported by the network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects, local authorities and other agencies as appropriate. 

As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for road traffic legislation, is bringing forward legislative proposals to increase Garda powers in this area, including in relation to the seizure of vehicles.

I am advised by An Garda Síochána that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 9 July 2021 to identify all vehicles of type “scrambler” or “quad” seized by Gardaí nationwide in association with incidents of any type during the period from 1 January 2020 to 8 July 2021. I am further advised that due to the low figures for these seizures, it is only possible to give a breakdown by Garda region, rather than Garda Division.

The count of unique vehicles seized within each Garda Region across the entire period is as follows: 

Note: These figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 9 July 2021. They are operational and may be liable to change