Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions and Units. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

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 informed that there is 1 Inspector, 8 Sergeants, and 30 Gardaí operating across four such units between the hours of 7am and 2am. The personnel are currently assigned on a temporary basis which will be subject of periodic review.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT), was established on a pilot basis in January 2023 to tackle mid-level organised criminal groups operating throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), through intelligence led policing operations targeting serious criminal activity and providing both a proactive and reactive investigative capacity for regional operations.

In addition, the DCRT provide operational assistance to national units, such as the Criminal Assets Bureau, and DMR Divisional Resources in undertaking searches as part of investigations across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR).

I can inform the Deputy the DCRT have also supported operations in multiple high density areas, particularly in the city centre assisting DMR North and South Central divisions in tackling anti-social behaviour. The activity includes proactive targeting for the purpose of disrupting and dismantling prolific criminal offenders and criminal groups in locations where drug dealing and associated drug related intimidation, is having a negative impact on the quality of life for communities within these areas. The DCRT also provide support to specific policing operations as part of Operation Citizen and Operation Canter in the city centre area and Operation Preacháin in the Clondalkin/Ballyfermot area.

A summary of the operational activity undertaken and outcomes achieved in the period since the establishment of the DCRT on 26 January 2023 up to 14 June is as follows:

*subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy asked the number of Garda command and control vehicles in use as of 23 May 2023; and the corresponding figures as of 1 January 2021. The information requested was not available at the time to answer the Deputy.

I am now informed by the Garda authorities that there were four vehicles in use by Command and Control on 1 January 2021, and that figure remains unchanged as of 30 April 2023.

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 over €2 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 that the purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.