Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy and, regrettably, I am advised that it has not been possible to collate the information in time. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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 under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the administration of the Garda Age Card scheme. As Minister, I have no role in the issuing of Age Cards.

I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that, under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010, anyone over the age of 18 can apply for a voluntary Age Card. The Age Card can be used by individuals aged 18 and over to show that they have reached the legal age for purchasing alcohol.

The Garda Age Card Office falls under the remit of the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau (GNYDB).

I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 28,194 Age Cards were issued in 2022. From 1 January to 2 November 2023 there have been a total of 22,842 Age Cards issued by An Garda Síochána.

It is important to note that an Age Card is a 'proof of age' card and not an official identity card. Further information on the Age Card scheme can be found at www.agecard.ie.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be are aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including matters relating to the Garda estate. In addition, the Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.

The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, details the number of interview rooms with audio and video recording facilities in the Dublin Metropolitan Region:

I can also assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.31 billion in Budget 2024, up 23% since 2020, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring the organisation has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.3 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

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 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.

Garda authorities have informed me that, at the end of October 2023, there were 3,440 vehicles assigned to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 10% since the end of December 2020, when there were 3,112 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet nationwide.

I am informed that no Prisoner Transport Trucks have been allocated to, or removed from, the Garda fleet in 2022 or to date in 2023.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information requested was not received in time. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. 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 policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí currently trained in each level of public order training within the DMR, as of 6 November 2023.