Written answers
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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561. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost in 2024 if the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit increased to 50. [54948/23]
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 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 informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a National remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services and the Operational control of Superintendent, Operational Support Services. There are currently twenty-four (24) dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit. This is inclusive of the Southern Regional Dog Unit based at Cork and Limerick.
The cost of purchasing dogs can vary from €3,000 to €6,000. Therefore, there would be an immediate cost, in the region of €78,000 to €156,000, to purchase an additional twenty-six dogs for the Garda Dog Unit. Increasing the number of dogs to 50 would also require an associated increase in personnel allocated as Garda dog handlers, creating salary related expenditure. Furthermore, it would raise the ongoing running costs, which includes such expenditure on kennelling, feed & veterinary.
Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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562. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of knives seized by An Garda Síochána, by county in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54955/23]
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities and the Government is determined to tackle this issue.
As the Deputy may be aware the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), which I chair, is examining a broad range of issues to address the factors which give rise to ASB, including knife crime. The knife crime sub-group of the ASB Forum has examined existing data and possible approaches to community responses, as well as the legislative position.
The subgroup is assessing available evidence to inform policy on knife crime and are currently considering options including increasing public awareness, and what sanctions will be most effective to address the problem of knife crime. The ASB forum sub-group on knife crime is expected to reconvene on 18 December.
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 Garda business, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table shows the number of objects of sub-type ‘knife’ linked as ‘seized’ with any incident reported since 2020 and as of 6 December 2023 by Garda Division.
Figures are based upon operational data from the PULSE system and are liable to change.
| Region | Division | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Region | D.M.R. Eastern | 76 | 51 | 55 | 41 |
| Dublin Region | D.M.R. Western | 184 | 167 | 159 | 137 |
| Dublin Region | D.M.R. Northern | 151 | 126 | 210 | 179 |
| Dublin Region | D.M.R. Southern | 134 | 93 | 83 | 102 |
| Dublin Region | D.M.R. North Central | 203 | 188 | 201 | 264 |
| Dublin Region | D.M.R. South Central | 257 | 187 | 204 | 224 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Kildare | 73 | 45 | 57 | 58 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Wexford | 43 | 35 | 68 | 45 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Wicklow | 41 | 24 | 37 | 27 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Laois/Offaly | 59 | 71 | 86 | 43 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Waterford | 73 | 67 | 66 | 84 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Kilkenny/Carlow | 44 | 33 | 44 | 32 |
| Eastern Region (NEW) | Meath/Westmeath | 92 | 60 | 72 | 82 |
| North Western Region | Donegal | 46 | 40 | 42 | 50 |
| North Western Region | Galway | 84 | 70 | 105 | 88 |
| North Western Region | Sligo/Leitrim | 51 | 28 | 19 | 27 |
| North Western Region | Louth/Cavan/Monaghan | 140 | 106 | 211 | 129 |
| North Western Region | Mayo/Roscommon/Longford | 65 | 48 | 61 | 51 |
| Southern Region (NEW) | Kerry | 28 | 35 | 39 | 36 |
| Southern Region (NEW) | Limerick | 86 | 94 | 76 | 104 |
| Southern Region (NEW) | Cork City | 172 | 118 | 129 | 94 |
| Southern Region (NEW) | Cork West | 15 | 35 | 19 | 13 |
| Southern Region (NEW) | Cork North | 47 | 44 | 58 | 33 |
| Southern Region (NEW) | Clare/Tipperary | 96 | 71 | 61 | 88 |
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