Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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550. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost in 2023 of purchasing five additional explosive detection dogs for the Garda dog unit. [57573/22]

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 any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters.

I am advised that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

I have also been informed that there are currently twenty nine dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit. The cost of purchasing Garda dogs varies from €3,000 to €5,000. Therefore, on that basis, it would cost in the region of €15,000 to €25,000 to purchase an additional five dogs for the Garda Dog Unit.