Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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416. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new unmarked and marked Garda vans allocated to the Garda dog unit in 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of these vehicles that were withdrawn during this period. [47168/22]

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 administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

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 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.

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of marked and unmarked vans allocated to the Garda Dog Unit and those removed from the Garda Dog Unit in the time frames requested by the Deputy.

Garda Dog Unit - Van Allocations & Removals for 2021

Garda Dog Unit - Van Allocations & Removals as of 23 September 2022

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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417. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda immigration officers by rank attached to Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire Port as of 1 January 2021 and 21 September 2022, in tabular form. [47169/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for the management and administration of Garda business, including the deployment of immigration officers countrywide and those attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

As the Deputy will be aware, Garda Immigration officers have numerous functions, including registrations of immigration permissions for customers living outside the Dublin area, carrying out deportations, border control at ports of entry other than Dublin Airport, and investigations relating to illegal immigration.

I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.