Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of marked motorcycles attached to Garda roads policing units in 2021 and 2022; and the number of motorcycles withdrawn from unit during this period. [1213/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of resources, I am assured 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 advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 December 2022 there were 3,312 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 2% since end December 2021 when there were 3,240 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.

I am further informed that at 31 December 2021 there were 114 motorcycles attached to the Roads Policing Unit and that this remained unchanged at 31 December 2022.

I am advised that no motorcycles were removed from Roads Policing duty in 2021 and 2022.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1107. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided for the replacement of the two dive trucks within the Garda water unit. [1214/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, 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 informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

The unit provides a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and responds to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and relevant agencies.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Unit currently has two dive trucks, one in Santry and one in Athlone.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that in Q2 2022 financial sanction was approved for the purchase of two trucks. I am further advised that a tendering process was subsequently carried out, which is now complete. Both trucks are now in the manufacturing process and are expected to be allocated once this process is completed.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1108. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vetting applications processed by the Garda national vetting unit in 2022; and the average processing time. [1215/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, 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 Garda business.

Under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is responsible for the Garda vetting system, and the processing of individual applications. As Minister, I have no role in the operation of the vetting system and related matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that GNVB processed 533,644 vetting applications in 2022 and that the average processing time for a vetting application was 7 working days.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1109. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new unmarked Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda national immigration bureau in 2022; and the number of cars and vans withdrawn from the GNIB during this period. [1217/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

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 am however assured 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 advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 December 2022 there were 3,312 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 2% since end December 2021 when there were 3,240 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at end December 2022 there were 30 vehicles attached to the Garda National immigration Bureau (GNIB), which includes 27 cars, 2 vans and 1 other. The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles. All vehicles attached to GNIB are unmarked.

I am informed that 5 cars were assigned to the GNIB in 2022. I am further informed that no vans were allocated in 2022.

I am advised that 1 car was removed from the Bureau in 2022 and that no vans were removed during this period.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1110. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a person may make a claim for compensation under the terms outlined in the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1234/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána (Compensation) Act 2021 was enacted on 24 October 2022.

As the Deputy may be aware, this Act provides for a complete overhaul of the current Garda compensation scheme which has been in operation since the 1940s.

The main objective is to reduce the length of time it takes for compensation claims to be dealt with by using the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) to assess the claim on an independent and impartial basis rather than having all claims assessed by the High Court as is currently the case.

It is intended that the Act will be commenced in early 2023 at which point the management of the Scheme will transfer from the Department of Justice to the Garda Commissioner.

There is ongoing engagement between my Department and An Garda Síochána to ensure all necessary processes are in place for the transition to the new scheme.