Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

682. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda divisions currently without a crime prevention officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32338/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the report is to hand.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

683. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided for the replacement of the patrol boats within Garda water unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32339/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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, including the allocation of resources. In addition, the Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the decisions on future allocations and spending. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps these matters under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

The Deputy may be aware that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) is a national resource based at 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 provide a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and respond to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the GWU presently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats and nine inflatable boats. I am informed that the boats allocated to the unit have met the present requirements of the Garda Water Unit to date, and the equipment fitted on the boats is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary. I am further informed that both of the GWU patrol boats are dated from 2000 and 2006 respectively, the rigid inflatable boats were allocated to the Garda Water Unit in 2007 and the nine inflatable boats are dated from 2009 to 2012, which are replaced when no longer serviceable for GWU needs.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

684. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided for the purchase of additional Garda Public order unit vans later in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32340/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

Budget 2022 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2 billion to 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 the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is determined on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources, and decisions regarding the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles are reviewed on a continual basis. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no plans to purchase additional public order vans this year.

I understand that public order vans are issued as a regional resource and can be moved throughout Divisions as required.

Finally, the Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

685. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked and unmarked roads policing unit vehicles that came into the fleet to-date in 2022; the number of RPU vehicles withdrawn to-date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32342/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 329 vehicles attached to Garda Roads Policing, including both marked and unmarked vehicles.

The table below, furnished me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of roads policing vehicles allocated and withdrawn to date in 2022.

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.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

686. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a new recruitment campaign for persons to apply to join An Garda Síochána will be launched later in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32343/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management of An Garda Síochána as well as the allocation and distribution of resources. This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no responsibility in these matters.

The Deputy may be aware that there was a very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with over 11,000 applications received. This will provide a strong pipeline of candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period. I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not envisaged that there will be another Garda Trainee Recruitment Campaign in 2022.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

687. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who successful completed advanced motorcycle course in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32344/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 7 Gardaí completed the advanced motorcycle course in 2021 and that to date in 2022 no Gardaí have completed the course.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

688. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 4 May 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to provide a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32345/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 04 May 2022 refers to:

‘the number of external experts consultants on retainer or engaged by the Garda national cybercrime unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau; the number of cases that units secured a conviction in 2021 and to date in 2022’

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I have no direct role in the internal administration of Garda HR matters.

I am advised that there are currently no expert consultants employed by An Garda Síochána in the area of cybercrime. I am further advised that in 2021, GNCCB closed a total of four hundred and thirty one digital forensic cases in collaboration with investigators in various other sections and divisions. GNCCB also secured convictions in relation to three complex cyber-dependent investigations. In 2022 to date, GNCCB have closed one hundred and sixty one cases in support of investigations being conducted nationally and a number of other cyber dependent investigations are ongoing.

In relation to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the Deputy will be aware that CAB is a statutory independent multi-agency body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. As Minister, I have no direct role in the Bureau’s operations.

I am advised that there was one expert consultant engaged for the provision of expert evidence in a legal case in 2021. This was on a stand-alone basis and the consultant was not on a retainer.

CAB also engaged the services of one Quantity Surveyor in 2021 and the services of two Quantity Surveyors in 2022, to date, to provide expert services in CAB investigations. None of these Surveyors were engaged on a retainer.

As CAB’s statutory remit extends to civil asset recovery and not criminal investigations I am advised that the Bureau does not routinely secure convictions. Arising from the foregoing, any convictions secured by the Bureau are generally incidental to the primary aim of which is to deny and deprive persons of the benefit of assets which are derived from criminal conduct. I am advised that the Bureau has secured two such incidental convictions in the time period covered by this Parliamentary Question, both of which were for drugs offences.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

689. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the street crime unit in the J district as of 1 January 2021 and 13 June 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32346/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State under Section 33 of the Act. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

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 optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that a Street Crime Unit (SCU) was established on a pilot basis in the 'J' District in April 2022 and, as such, the Deputy will appreciate that there is no figure for members attached to the SCU available for 2021 as a result.

There are currently, as of 17 June 2022, four Garda members assigned to the SCU in the 'J' District.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the 'J' District of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North is comprised of Raheny, Howth and Clontarf Garda Stations. The District Headquarters is located in Raheny.

Members attached to SCU patrol areas within the District covertly to detect crime and are tasked with, but not limited to, the following:

- Theft from MPVs

- Theft from Persons

- Unauthorised taking of vehicles

- Interfering with vehicles

- Robbery patrols

- Burglary patrols

- Anti-crime patrols at large events

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

690. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new unmarked Garda vans which came into the fleet in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number of unmarked Garda vans withdrawn from the fleet during same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32347/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is determined on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources, and decisions regarding the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles are reviewed on a continual basis.

Budget 2022 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2 billion to 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.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of unmarked Garda vans allocated to and withdrawn from the Garda fleet in 2021 and to date in 2022.