Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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380. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda dog unit in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number of vehicles withdrawn from this unit during same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21890/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), 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 independent functions. 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. 

Budget 2022 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2 billion, of which I am informed that €12m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet, which will mean more high visibility policing in our towns and cities.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 14 vehicles attached to the Garda Dog unit. 

I am further informed that the tables below set out the number of vehicles allocated to and removed from the Garda Dog unit in 2021 and up to 29 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.

Vehicles allocated to the Garda Dog Unit 

Vehicles removed from the Garda Dog Unit 

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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381. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of full-time Garda civilian staff by job title working in the Garda mounted unit as of 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020 and 25 April 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21891/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members and civilian staff. As Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions. 

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I sought the following information from the Garda authorities that shows the Garda staff attached to the Operational Support Unit, which the Mounted Unit is part of. 

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. The full complement of resources fluctuates on an ongoing basis and where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.