Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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682. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if pension restoration to all ranks of An Garda Síochána has been completed; and if not, if there are plans to restore remaining reductions. [50441/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that pension restoration has taken place on an annual phased basis commencing in 2016, with the final restoration for a relatively small final group of pensioners due on 1^stDecember 2021. This payment will complete the restoration of all pension reductions for retired members of An Garda Síochána.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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683. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the figures on the allocation of resources to community policing in the Dublin north inner city area for 2021. [50451/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. The Commissioner is also responsible, under Section 26 of the Act, for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no direct 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.

To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.

For the Deputy's information, the area referred to is covered by the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Central Division. The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda members categorised as Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR North Central, by rank and station, as of 30 September, the latest date for which the figures are available.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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685. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been provided for the purchase of additional vehicles for the Garda armed support unit. [50562/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of resources between the various Garda units. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters, and cannot comment on them.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands and availability of resources and is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis.

In 2021, 10 new vehicles were allocated to the Garda Armed Support Unit in Quarter 3 and an additional 3 vehicles will be allocated in Quarter 4 following fit out.

I can inform the Deputy that Budget 2022 provides for an allocation of €12m for further investment in the Garda fleet, the application of which is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine as set out above.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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686. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of cash seized by An Garda Síochána in counties Kildare and Dublin in 2019 and 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and the amount returned on request or appeal. [50563/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the identification, tracing, freezing, and ultimate confiscation of criminal assets does not rest with a single body in Ireland and is spread across a number of different agencies and statutory bodies, not all of which are within the responsibility of the Department of Justice. The relevant bodies include An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Revenue Commissioners, the Chief State Solicitors Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Courts. It should be noted that in some cases, funds seized represent overdue or unpaid personal taxation.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána do not disclose the breakdown of cash seized at divisional level for operational reasons.