Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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394. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda dog unit as of 1 January 2021 and 20 September 2022, in tabular form. [46828/22]

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. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am informed that the Garda Dog Unit (GDU) is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a National remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime, and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the Garda Dog Unit (GDU) at 31 January 2021 and at 22 September 2022.

I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum 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 informed by the Garda authorities that approval has been received for the regionalisation of the Garda Dog Unit which would see an increase in numbers and an expansion of the Garda Dog Unit to all regions.

In the interests of transparency, further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.

The information can be found at the following link:

www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures