Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to address the management and cancellation of computer-aided despatch incidents and 999 calls by An Garda Síochána as outlined by the Policing Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51719/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I consider any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls a very serious matter. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or indeed anyone in a vulnerable position, who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not have received it.

The Policing Authority was asked by Minister McEntee to oversee the review being carried by An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter, and there have been a number of engagements between the Authority and An Garda Síochána since March of this year.

I share the Authority’s concern about the continuation of what appear to be inappropriate cancellation and classification of calls since the introduction of the new procedures. These circumstances will of course be considered by the Authority as part of their continuing oversight of the Garda review of this matter, and will be taken into account in the work being carried out by an external policing expert who has been appointed to assist the Authority in this task. I await the outcome of the Authority's work in this regard.

My Department has ongoing engagement with the Garda authorities in relation to their work to address the issues which have arisen in respect of management of 999 calls. I will of course consider any recommendations the Authority choses to make regarding the future management of these matters.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for commencement and completion of works for the new Garda station for Macroom, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45581/21]

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.  Planning permission for the new Garda station in Macroom was granted in March 2021.

There is ongoing engagement between my Department, An Garda Síochána, the OPW and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) (which is the procuring authority for PPPs) to progress this project with a view to the tender process commencing in 2022.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which training and the updating of legislation continues to be made available to An Garda Síochána and that such activity and upgrading of training continues to remain an integral part of the curriculum; the extent to which promotional opportunities remain part of their employment; if training and working conditions remain adequate to meet the challenges of a modern police force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51652/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the training of Garda members and staff, and personnel matters such as promotions. As Minister, I play no direct role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that training continues to be made available to An Garda Síochána on a fulltime basis and is continuously updated to reflect current legislative changes. I am further informed that the 2022 training plan for An Garda Síochána is currently being prepared and follows an in-depth training needs analysis by the organisation.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that the training and working conditions in the Garda College remain adequate to meet the challenges of a modern police force.

The Deputy may be aware that I recently introduced new regulations which will significantly reform the promotion process for the key Garda ranks of sergeants and inspectors and pave the way for the promotion of hundreds of members of An Garda Síochána. 

The Government is committed to ongoing recruitment into An Garda Síochána as well as allowing for promotional opportunities within the service. Together, these moves will both strengthen An Garda Síochána with new recruits and increase supervision and mentoring within the organisation.