Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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505. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been provided to increase the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit; and, if so, when these new dogs will come into service. [23094/23]

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 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, and has a national remit. I am also advised that there are currently 26 Dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit.

I am informed that plans to expand the Garda Dog Unit nationally have been approved by the Garda Executive. I am further informed that implementation of this plan will be on a gradual basis and subject to suitable dogs being identified.

I am also advised that no definitive timeline for the procurement of additional dogs has been established.

I am further advised that the Garda Dog Unit are seeking to identify and develop supply partnerships that will deliver the requisite number of suitable dogs on a more consistent basis than is being achieved under existing mechanisms. The outcome of this process will enable the development of more definitive time-frames surrounding the integration of new Garda dogs into service.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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506. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 388 of 25 April 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this parliamentary question answered. [23095/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 388 of 25 April 2023 refers to the number of unmarked Garda vans in each Garda division as of 17 April 2023, in tabular form.

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 the table below sets out the unmarked Garda vans attached to each Garda Division at 31 March 2023. Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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507. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of WTE civilian equine instructors/trainers that work in the Garda mounted unit in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23096/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including recruitment and the management of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised that there are no civilian equine instructors/trainers attached to the Garda Mounted Unit.

I am informed that all instruction and training is carried out by the two qualified Garda members attached to the unit.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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508. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of competitions held for Garda personnel to apply to join the Garda armed support unit in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23097/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.

Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands, including deployment of personnel among the Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there were no competitions advertised for Garda personnel to join the Garda Armed Support Unit in 2022 or to date in 2023.