Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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469. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána who have been redeployed or retired from the Clare Garda division during 2019 and 2020, respectively; and the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been assigned to the Clare Garda division for duty during the same periods. [56063/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the allocation of resources and deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the below table outlines the number of Garda members who have been allocated/transferred in to the Clare Division in 2019 and 2020, and the number of Garda members who have been allocated/transferred out in the same years. The table also includes the number of Garda members who have retired or departed for reasons other than retirement.

Clare Division

As of 31 October 2021, the total number of Garda members in the Clare Division is 314. This personnel strength is broken down as follows.

Garda members in the Clare Division are supported by 47 civilian staff as at 30 September 2021.

The below table, also provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of newly attested Gardaí allocated to the Clare Division since the recommencement of recruitment to date.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that to ensure the continued level of delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions, local and Senior Garda Management are consulted in relation to the allocation of personnel and are responsible for the specific deployment/assignment of duties undertaken at Divisional level.

I am assured that the delivery of policing services is closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the operating model of policing at divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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470. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been allocated to the investigation into the deaths of 802 children and the Mother and Babies Home in Tuam, County Galway. [56064/21]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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471. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the approximate cost of the Garda investigation into the deaths of 802 children and the Mother and Babies Home in Tuam, County Galway. [56065/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 471 together.

As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including investigative matters. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda personnel may be assigned to several investigations in response to operational requirements and it is not possible to provide costs or resources associated with specific investigations.

I understand that on 29 April 2021, An Garda Síochána launched an appeal to anyone who wishes to report a crime relating to a pregnancy or abuse incurred during their residence at a Mother and Baby Home, to contact them. An Garda Síochána invited anyone who was the victim of a criminal act arising out of the Mother and Baby Homes, or who has information likely to assist an investigation into a criminal act committed at a Mother and Baby Home, to come forward and report this by emailing MotherandBabyHomes@garda.ie or by phoning the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting line or reporting at a local Garda station.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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472. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of the investigation launched in 2018 into the death of a baby (details supplied) in 1984. [56066/21]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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473. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been allocated to the investigation launched in 2018 into the death of a baby (details supplied) in 1984. [56067/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 473 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including investigative matters. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí continue to investigate the death of a newborn baby boy in 1984, known as Baby John.

I am advised that Garda personnel may be assigned to several investigations in response to operational requirements and it is not possible to provide costs associated with the investigation of specific incidents.

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána do not provide information regarding sensitive operational matters, such as the numbers of personnel assigned to a particular investigation, at a particular time. I am informed that Garda personnel assigned to Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) are simultaneously involved in multiple investigations due to the nature of the demands at the Bureau. Therefore, providing details of particular assignments could lead to a misinterpretation of relevant matters.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that significant work has been undertaken by the local investigation team, supported by the Serious Crime Review Team. Regular case conferences continue to be held by Garda management. I am advised that over 400 separate lines of enquiry have been generated as part of the review into this investigation, and that selective DNA sampling is ongoing as part of the enquiry.

I understand that, to date, there have been no arrests in relation to this investigation.

An Garda Síochána continue to appeal for information from the public regarding this case.