Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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884. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been secured in 2023 to purchase extra vehicles for Garda armed support units. [55338/22]

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 direct role in these matters.

I am assured, 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 can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which I am informed that €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

I am advised that funding for the continual capital investment in An Garda Síochána Fleet has been provided for under the National Development Plan and that the type and quantity of vehicles to be procured in 2023 is currently under consideration.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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885. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 396 of 27 September 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities. [55339/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Questions No. 599, 736 and 396 of 17 May 2022, 12 July 2022 and 27 September 2022, which asked for 'the number of interview rooms in each Garda station within DMR as of 9 May 2022, in tabular form; and if any of those rooms are reserved for suspects, victims or witnesses of crime and that are aged under 18 years of age’. 

As you will appreciate, 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 outfitting of interview rooms. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of interview rooms within the DMR in tabular form as of 9 May 2022. I am also informed that there are a small number of interview rooms reserved for victims or witnesses including one reserved for those under 18 years of age. This is located in Store Street. 

I am further advised that there is a country-wide network of dedicated interview suites established by the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána in nine strategically chosen locations throughout the State which are used by the Garda authorities to record interviews with vulnerable victims, children and adults.