Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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638. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 657 of 22 February 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer the question. [23109/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Question No. 657 of 22 February 2022 refers to the number of cases that the Garda computer crime unit has dealt with in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I can assure the Deputy that the prevention and investigation of cybercrime is a priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding to An Garda Síochána. Since 2016 the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €500m, or 33%. These funds provide for continued investment in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), with ongoing expansion of the Bureau.

The Bureau is the national Garda unit tasked with the forensic examination of computer media seized during the course of any criminal investigations. These include murders, cybercrime, online harassment, computer intrusions, child exploitation offences and any criminal investigation in which computers are seized or may contain evidential data. The unit also conducts investigations into cyber-dependent crimes which are significant or complex in nature, network intrusions, data interference and attacks on websites belonging to Government departments, institutions and corporate entities.

The Bureau is part of Organised and Serious Crime, and is staffed by civilian personnel and Garda members of various ranks up to Detective Superintendent. Members of the unit undergo intensive training in the area of forensic computing and cybercrime investigations, and give expert witness testimony in all types of investigations and prosecutions in court. In addition to its forensic and investigative role, GNCCB acts as a liaison with various partner agencies and law enforcement bodies.

The expansion of the GNCCB is a priority project under A Policing Service for our Future, the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The aim of this project is to significantly enhance the capabilities of GNCCB to tackle cybercrime in this jurisdiction, including the establishment of six GNCCB Cyber Satellite hubs strategically located throughout the country.

I am pleased to note that Cyber Satellite hubs have recently been established in Cork, Galway, Mullingar and Wexford. These hubs are engaged in cybercrime forensics, investigations and support roles.

For the Deputy's information the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of cases that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has dealt with in 2020, 2021, and up to and including 9 May 2022.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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639. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drones owned by An Garda Síochána and the number currently in use as of 3 May 2022, [23110/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, legislation currently limits the operational use of drones by An Garda Síochána. However, the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill will provide a legal basis for the wider operational deployment of drones.

The Bill will provide a power for a Garda Member or Garda Staff acting in the course of his or her duties to operate, or cause to be operated, a recording device that is remotely controlled and affixed to or part of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The recording shall be for the purposes of:

(a) Preventing, investigating, detecting or prosecuting criminal offences;

(b) Safeguarding against, and preventing, threats to public security, including securing public safety and public order; or for

(c) protecting the security of the State.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána is currently conducting ongoing trials with a number of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and there is an internal working group tasked with examining the wider potential and scope to use drones to assist in various policing operations.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that specific task-capable drone models have been identified and 9 drones have been procured for evaluation, training and possible future operational use in the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU). A further 2 drones have been procured by the Garda National Technical Bureau for training purposes.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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640. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau as of 1 May 2021 and 1 May 2022, in tabular form. [23111/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. The Commissioner is also responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Act and, as Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the Garda National Immigration Bureau at 30 April 2020 and 31 March 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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641. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of stables by location available to the Garda mounted unit excluding the stables currently in the Phoenix Park. [23112/22]

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 informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Mounted Unit (GMU) is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime. The operational control of the GMU is overseen by Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. There are currently 12 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit.

There are two locations utilised by the GMU excluding Phoenix Park. These are the Landmark Trust Mews, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 and Dublin Castle. These locations are occasionally used by the GMU when the horses require to rest or feed during extended patrols in Dublin city centre. There are two standing stalls and two stables located at the Landmark Trust Mews and two standing stalls located in Dublin Castle.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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642. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda interventions involving persons with self-harm or harming others due to mental health issues; and the resources that have been made available to ensure that An Garda Síochána is adequately trained to deal with these complex situations and that they have access on 24/7 supports of appropriate specialist services when required. [23113/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities but the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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643. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the age of the trucks attached to the Garda water unit. [23114/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.

I am advised that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) is a national resource based at both Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime. The operational control of the GWU is overseen by Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. The GWU provides a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and responds to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the GWU currently has two dive trucks, one in Santry and one in Athlone, that are 16 and 17 years old respectively.

Approval has been received for the replacement of the trucks and a Request for Tender is currently being prepared in relation to this.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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644. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unmarked vans attached to the Garda collision forensic investigation unit as of 1 May 2021 and 1 May 2022, in tabular form. [23115/22]

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 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 were 10 unmarked vans allocated to the Garda collision forensic investigation unit on 30 April 2021.

I am further advised that there are 10 unmarked vans allocated to the unit at 30 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.