Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1073. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been provided in 2024 to purchase additional vehicles for Garda armed support units. [1089/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2024 provided an unprecedented budget of €2.3 billion for the Garda Vote, a total increase of 23% since 2020. The unprecedented level of investment into An Garda Síochána has enabled:

• The roll out of the highest number of mobility devices ever allowing allGardaí to conduct certain policing tasks on the move.
• At the end December 2023 there were 3,420 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, including in the Armed Support Unit. This represents an increase of almost 10% since the end of December 2020.
• Major investment in new and refurbished stations.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I can inform the Deputy that funding for continued capital investment in An Garda Síochána Fleet Management has been provided for under the 2021-2030 National Development Plan.

I am assured the number and types of vehicles to be procured with this funding will be based on identified operational needs. The availability of resources and will be reviewed on a continual basis.

I am further assured by the Garda Commissioner that currently there are sufficient resources available to the Armed Support Unit.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1074. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a breakdown of the number of seizures of ketamine by gardaí for each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the estimated street value or worth of those seizures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1098/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda Síochána is unable to provide a breakdown of seizures in the form requested by the Deputy.

Confirmation of drugs seized are subject to analysis and verification by Forensic Science Ireland, prior to publication in the Garda Annual Report. The Deputy should note that these figures do not include drugs seized by other responsible State agencies, such as Revenue Customs Service.

Garda Annual reports for 2018 to 2022 are available at the following link:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/

Figures for 2023 will be available on publication of the An Garda Síochána Annual Report for 2023.