Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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135. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the intended allocation of the additional €10 million provided in Budget 2022 to significantly increase digital services in her Department; if consideration will be given to increased investment at a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51681/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Investment is required to significantly increase digital services in my Department in line with our strategy. This will include developing a fully digital, customer-centric immigration service, as well as integrating digital systems across the justice sector to increase efficiencies and provide data-informed insights to support policy development. The implementation of a new ICT strategy for my Department will also include measures to update older systems and strengthen business continuity arrangements in the Department.

The budget provided by government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase with an allocation of €1.952 billion for 2021. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding. This reflects the government’s commitment to making sure people are safe in their communities.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources to fund improvements in IT and digital services. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am assured that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review.