Written answers

Tuesday, 13 December 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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502. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been sought by the Garda Commissioner for training in the Garda national public order unit level 2 to commence in Q1 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61952/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Commissioner, as the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Act, is also responsible for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

The Deputy will further be aware that funding for the Garda Vote is sought as part of the usual budgetary process. Budget 2023 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2.14 billion of funding to the Garda Vote.

To be of assistance I have contacted the Garda Authorities and have been advised that Public Order Operators Level 2 training is included in the 2023 training plan for An Garda Síochána. It should be noted that this training is delivered at a Regional level and that training will commence in Quarter 1 2023, subject to approval at Regional level within An Garda Síochána.

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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503. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of marked Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda dog unit to date in 2022; the number of these vehicles that have been withdrawn to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61953/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 of the Garda fleet. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters.

However to be of assistance, the table below as provided 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. No cars were allocated to or removed from the Unit during that time.

Table 1 - Vans allocated to/removed from Garda Dog Unit in 2022

As at 30 November 2022 Marked Unmarked
Allocated 0 2
Removed 0 0
The allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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504. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence; the stations that these gardaí are based at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61954/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The information sought by the Deputy was not available in the time permitted. I will write directly to the Deputy with the requested information once it is received.

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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505. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda national economic crime bureau as of 1 January 2021 and 6 December 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61956/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 decisions on the deployment of personnel. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion. This will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimal use.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigates serious and complex economic crimes. The Bureau operates on a national basis and provides specialist support and guidance to national economic crime investigators.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the table below displays the number of Garda members assigned to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau on the dates requested.

G.N.E.C.B. Chief Superintendent Superintendent Inspector Sergeant Garda Total
01/01/2021 1 3 2 23 45 74
06/12/2022 1 2 1 19 71 94

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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506. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a new contract for the provision of new Garda unmarked vehicles will be put out to tender during Q1 of 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61957/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 such matters.

I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that the Office of Government Procurement are responsible for tenders relating to An Garda Síochána vehicles.

I am also informed that the Office of Government Procurement has entered into a contract, with effect from 20th November 2020, for the supply of unmarked cars to An Garda Síochána.

I am advised that this contract is effective for a period of two years with the option of a 12 month extension which has been availed of.

I understand that the purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources.

I am also assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use.

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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507. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 25 October 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61958/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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508. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 25 October 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61959/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all matters relating to the distribution of personnel and resources within An Garda Síochána. As Minister I have no direct role in, and cannot comment on or intervene in, such matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below outlines the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Community Policing Unit at Coolock Garda Station, as of 1 October, 2021, and 18October 2022.

DATE SERGEANT GARDAÍ
October 2021 0 3
October 2022 1 11

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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509. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda districts within the Dublin metropolitan region that have received additional Garda mountain bikes to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61961/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once it is to hand.

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