Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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630. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full year cost if 200 additional prison officers were recruited in tabular form. [22965/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and verified and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.  

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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631. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda prison transport vehicles that came into the fleet in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of those Garda prison transport vehicles that were withdrawn from the fleet during same period in tabular form. [22966/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, 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 €2 billion in funding for An Garda Síochána, 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 16 Garda prison transport vehicles attached to the fleet at 5 May 2022.

I am further advised that two Garda prison transport vehicles were allocated to the fleet and 1 vehicle was removed in 2020.

I am also advised that there have been no allocations or removals of prison transport in 2021 or to date in 2022.