Written answers

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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422. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a new contract for the provision of new Garda roads policing motorcycles will be put out to tender in Quarter 4 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47241/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen 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 direct role in these matters.

I am advised, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use in light of identified operational needs and emerging crime trends.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 3,299 vehicles assigned to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 18% since end December 2019 when there were 2,794 vehicles assigned to the fleet.

As the Deputy is aware, all Garda vehicles are procured under contracts tendered by the Office of Government Procurement. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is a current tender in place and that a new contract will not be put out to tender during Quarter 4 of 2022.

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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423. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases Cavan-Monaghan that the divisional protection services unit has dealt with in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47242/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that both Commissioner Harris and I are committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is resourced to provide support to victims of this terrible crime.

As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the national roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) was an action under Supporting a Victim's Journey, and it has now been completed.

There is now a DPSU established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. This specialisation ensures that when victims of domestic and sexual violence present to Gardaí, at perhaps their most vulnerable moment, they are met with professional and expert assistance.

I would like to assure the Deputy that while officers attached to DPSUs receive a range of specialist training, all Gardaí are trained as first responders so they are equipped to deal with victims, including of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

On foot of the Deputy's question, I contacted An Garda Síochána to seek the specific information requested concerning the number of cases that Cavan-Monaghan Protective Services Unit have dealt with in 2021 and to date in 2022. That information is presented in the table below:

2021 194
2022 (as of Friday, 23rd September, 2022 ) 130

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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424. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of standard and advanced motorcycle courses that have been held for gardaí within the Cavan-Monaghan division in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47243/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen 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, which includes Garda training. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities no standard or advanced motorcycle courses have been held for Gardaí within the Cavan-Monaghan division in 2021 and to date in 2022.

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