Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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484. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 467 of 9 May 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25641/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 467 of 9 May 2023 refers to the ages of each horsebox vehicles currently within the Garda Mounted Unit.

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 equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at 30 April 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 4 horseboxes attached to the Garda Mounted Unit.

I am further advised the 2 horseboxes are between 3 - 4 years old and 2 are between 5 - 6 years old. I am informed that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis to ensure the best match with operational requirements.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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485. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 9 May 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25642/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have again contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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486. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the closing dates for accepting tender offers for the new aircraft and helicopters for the Garda air support unit. [25643/23]

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 procurement, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Government is however 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 over €2 billion for An Garda Síochána which includes funding to procure a new fixed wing aircraft.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Prior Information Notices (PINs) for the procurement of Rotary (helicopter) and Fixed Wing Aircraft were published in December 2022.

I am also informed that following legal advice, for reasons of state security, the tender processes are being progressed pursuant to the derogation set out in Regulation 9(b) of the European Union (Award of Contracts Defence and Security) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 62 of 2012).

I am advised that as a result, details of the tender process are not available at this stage. I am also advised that details of any contracts awarded will, in due course, be published on completion of the processes.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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487. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 9 May 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25644/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of vehicles seized by Gardaí for having no insurance within the Dublin Metropolitan Division in the years of 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a yearly breakdown of the number of vehicles seized by Garda authorities in Dublin Metropolitan Region for having no insurance in 2021, 2022 and 2023 up to 3 May. Vehicles seized or detained relate to those detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that all information provided is based upon operational data from the PULSE systemas was available on 4 May 2023 and is liable to change.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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488. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 462 of 9 May 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25645/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 462 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs); and the total full-time equivalent of each child protection unit since 2019 to-date in 2023, in tabular form.

As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Garda resources and training of Garda personnel. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

A Senior Investigating Officer is appointed to investigate serious crime occurrences and critical incidents by a Divisional Critical Incident Management Team, which comprises of a Chief Superintendent, Superintendent and Detective Superintendent.

I am informed that the figures provided in the table below relate to the numbers of Garda members by Division that have completed Stage 1 of the SIO programme over the past 5 years.

I am also informed that it is not possible to breakdown the Senior Investigation Officers assigned specifically to a particular unit, as the SIO is appointed to take the lead in any serious investigations including sexual assaults and child protection, within a Division.

The Senior Investigating Officer programme is primarily aimed at Detective Inspectors who are tasked with the leadership and management of serious crime investigation and critical incidents.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the figures below represent the assignment of SIOs at time of training and movement of personnel within Divisions can affect these figures.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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489. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda band as of 22 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25646/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy 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. This includes responsibility for decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda personnel and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities, that the band of An Garda Síochána comprises professionally trained musicians, who are also serving Gardaí, assigned to the Garda band.

I am advised that there is currently one Inspector and 24 Gardaí attached to the Garda Band.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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490. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1041 of 18 April 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question 1041 of 18 April 2023 and follow up question 454 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of Gardaí by rank attached to each divisional crime scenes unit as of 12 April 2023.

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. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda personnel attached to each divisional crime scene unit as at 17 April 2023.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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491. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 457 of 9 May 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 457 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of each category of public order training courses provided to Gardaí within the Dublin metropolitan division in 2022 and to-date in 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 training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the breakdown of public order training courses provided to Garda members within the DMR for the years requested is as follows:

Please note that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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492. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he and or his officials have been consulted by Garda management in respect of a new policing plan post-the 2022-2024 plan. [25677/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Strategy Statement is submitted to the Policing Authority under section 21 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), and the Authority approves the Statement with my consent as Minister.

The Deputy will be aware that the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will reform the current Garda oversight and governance structures. The Bill provides for the establishment of a new non-executive Garda Board, which is in keeping with best practice governance structures across other State agencies and public sector bodies.

Through the expertise and external perspective of its members, the Board will provide practical support along with robust, constructive challenge to the senior leadership team in An Garda Síochána, with the Garda Commissioner being accountable to the Board for the performance of his or her functions. The Board, as is the case with such boards generally, will not have any role in relation to operational matters, with the Garda Commissioner’s operational independence made explicit in the Bill.

Under Section 63 of the Bill, the Strategic Plan for An Garda Síochána will be prepared by the Commissioner. Once adopted by the Board, the Plan is to be submitted to the Minister for approval. It is expected that this statutory framework will apply to the next Strategic Plan for An Garda Síochána.