Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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425. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles reported stolen to gardaí within the Tipperary division in 2023. [2484/24]

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. This includes the management of the Garda PULSE system and the recording of incidents. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

To be of assistance to the Deputy I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been informed that for 2023, there were 104 vehicles reported stolen in Tipperary Division.

Information supplied is operational and subject to change and is correct as of 18 January 2024.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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426. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on Garda Operation Táirge; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; if this operation is still active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2498/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, Operation TÁIRGE is an active operation, launched on 11 December 2023 by Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman at Water Scott House, with the attendance of myself, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond T.D. and Mr. Arnold Dillon, Director of Retail Ireland.

Operation TÁIRGE is part of An Garda Síochána’s Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy. This Strategy aims to reduce the detrimental impact retail crime and criminals can have on retail businesses, and also seeks to support operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing retail theft.

Under Operation TÁIRGE, An Garda Síochána are working on reducing organised retail crime (ORC) by:

- Using an intelligence-led approach to identify criminals engaging in retail crime.

- Disrupting the most prolific groups in operation through the use of organised crime and proceeds of crime legislation.

- Working with retailers to strengthen their security and prevent them from becoming victims of this criminality.

- Supporting those working in retail to report a crime.

- Identifying and targeting the areas where organised retail crime black markets operate, and their leadership.

- Working with high risk retailers to enhance prevention, investigation and prosecution.

- Deterring people from becoming involved in organised retail crime by raising awareness of the consequences of committing such offences.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as this Operation is still in its early stages, the collation of data is underway, but is not sufficiently advanced or quality assured to enable it to be shared at this time.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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427. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each division who are trained in drone legislation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2499/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As you 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 training and HR matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

The Garda Air Support Unit is a national resource based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin and is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. The unit provides a 24 hour proactive and reactive service in support of operational Gardaí on the ground and specialist units. 10 members attached to the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) have received formal training in Drone Operations and the relevant Regulations regarding drone flights.

The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) is currently continuing trials with a number of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) and there is an internal working group tasked with examining the wider potential and scope to use drones to assist in various policing operations. The working group is chaired by Superintendent, Operational Support Services under the direction of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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428. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date of her last meeting with the Chief Superintendent of the DMR North division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2500/24]

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 An Garda Síochána and is accountable to me under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. While I have met many Chief Superintendents since my appointment as Minister, I have not had the opportunity to meet the Chief Superintendent DMR North, as yet.

I can, however, assure the Deputy that I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner to ensure An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to make sure that the people of Ireland are safe and feel safe. Our commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion in Budget 2024.

As of 31 December 2023 there were 3,767 Garda members assigned specifically to Dublin, including 280 members assigned last year. 779 of these Garda members are assigned to DMR North.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on replacing musical instruments for the Garda band in 2023; if these musical instruments are insured for loss or damages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2501/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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430. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost if 1,600 new gardaí were recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2502/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. The Garda Budget is now at its highest ever level. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024 will allow for sustained recruitment of between 800 to 1,000 new Garda recruits in 2024.

As you will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to recruitment and training. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised that the estimated payroll and fixed subsistence cost of recruiting 1,600 Garda members in 2024 is in the region of €45m. It is assumed that all recruits commence training on 1 January 2024.

This sum includes a basic training allowance for 35 weeks along with 17 weeks of post attestation salary, an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances, employer’s PRSI, and an estimate of subsistence paid during the trainees’ deployment to an operational station. Currently there are no other pay increases agreed for 2024.

I am advised that other potential costs including the cost of equipment and accommodation are not included. I am further advised that that the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments or potential future pension costs.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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431. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeants, inspectors and superintendents within Dublin that are trained in public order, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2503/24]

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 all matters relating to recruitment and training. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested from the Garda authorities and have been informed that there are 180 Sergeants, 44 Inspectors and less than 10 Superintendents, trained in public order within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR).

I am advised that the table below sets out this information in more detail. I am also advised that the Garda authorities will not report on numbers that are less than 10 for operational reasons.

* denotes less than 10

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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432. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases that the Garda National Immigration Bureau dealt with in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2504/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy is enquiring about the number of immigration permissions registered by my Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay. The Registration Office is responsible for registering and renewing immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. Registrations and renewals for persons resident outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.

In 2023, 190,045 Irish immigration residence permissions were registered in Dublin. Of these, 69,652 were to first time applicants and 120,393 were renewals.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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433. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars and vans attached to each Garda district within the DMR as of 8 January 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2505/24]

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 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.

The tables below, which were provided to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number of vehicles assigned to the Divisions within the DMR by district as of 31 December 2023 (the latest date for when figures are available).

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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434. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to the divisional drugs unit as of 9 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2506/24]

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, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. 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 crime trends and policing priorities.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

There are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of around 9% since 2015. 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide. The Deputy may also be interested to know that 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter Templemore since 2018.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 326 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, this includes 278 Gardaí, 42 Sergeants and 6 Inspectors. This represents an increase of 41% since the end of December 2019 when there were 231 Garda members assigned to these units.

For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/

Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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435. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases dealt with by the Dublin north divisional protective services bureau in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2507/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the nationwide roll-out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.

In July of 2022 I published the whole of Government Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV). This is our most ambitious Strategy to date and its overall aim is clear - zero tolerance for all forms of DSGBV and the attitudes which underpin it across all of society. The strategy itself is built around the 4 pillars of the Istanbul Convention - Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination.

An important part of delivering on the ambition of the strategy is ensuring victims have access to the full range of supports and services they need and that they have confidence to reach out for help, report what has happened to them and seek the justice they deserve.

Part of doing this is making sure that victims are supported at every stage of their journey through the criminal justice system and there is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.

This will ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic and sexual violence, present to Gardaí they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.

In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, I am informed that the Dublin North Divisional Protective Services Unit dealt with a total of 423 cases in 2023.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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436. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked Garda cars and vans that joined the Garda dog unit in 2023; the number of those vehicles that withdrew from the dog unit during 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2508/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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437. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when each of the boats currently in the Garda water unit are next scheduled to be replaced, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2509/24]

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 boats or specialist equipment for the Garda Water Unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 18 January 2024 the Garda Water Unit has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats (RIB’s) and six inflatable boats.

I am advised that these boats meet the current requirements of the Unit and that the equipment fitted is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary. I am further advised that there are currently no plans to replace these boats.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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438. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of full-time civilian staff working in the Garda mounted unit as of 9 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2510/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. An Garda Síochána’s 2024 allocation provides funding of over €2.3 billion, which includes funding for between 800 to 1,000 new Gardaí and 250 additional 250 Garda staff.

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 decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am however assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. This ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the public.

To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that on 9 January 2024 there was less than 10 full time civilian staff attached to the Mounted Unit. As the Deputy may already be aware, data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10 for data protection reasons.