Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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100. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of WTE civilian Garda staff working in the Garda national cyber crime unit as of 3 April 2024. [15549/24]

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 management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State, including to specialist units within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. The 2024 allocation provides a budget of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase since 2020. This unprecedented budget will strengthen the work of specialist units such as the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. Furthermore, and as part of Budget 2024's unprecedented allocation, €155 million has been allocated for digital capital investment and IT.

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) is tasked with the forensic examination of computer media seized during the course of any criminal investigations. These include murders, cyber-crime, online harassment, computer intrusions, child exploitation offences and any criminal investigation in which computers are seized or may contain evidential data.

GNCCB strategies or initiatives include the establishment of four of six planned regional cybercrime hubs, participating in the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force and liaising with the National Cybersecurity Centre. The GNCCB continues to engage with Law Enforcement Agencies, the European Union Cybercrime Taskforce and to the EMPACT (EU Commission Policy Cycle) Cyber Attacks. It also provides cybercrime prevention advices to interest groups in local communities.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 3 April 2024, there were 11 WTE Garda staff working in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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101. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of WTE civilian Garda staff working in the Garda national drugs and organised crime unit as of 3 April 2024. [15550/24]

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 management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State, including to specialist units within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as of 3 April 2024 there are 10.8 WTE Garda staff attached to Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Unit (GNDOCB).

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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102. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unmarked Garda cars and unmarked Garda vans attached to the Garda national immigration bureau as of 3 April 2024. [15551/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the management of the Garda Fleet.

The purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions, however, I am assured that the distribution of resources is reviewed on a continual basis.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. Information supplied is as of 8 April 2024, and is operational and subject to change.

It should be noted that all vehicles assigned to GNIB are unmarked.

GNIB Fleet

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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103. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of the Garda roads policing unit fleet that are aged between 0-2 years old, between 3-6 years old, between 7-10 years old and over 10 years old, in tabular form. [15552/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the management of the Garda Fleet. The purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions, however, I am assured that the allocation of resources is reviewed on a continual basis.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. Information supplied is as of 8 April 2024, and is operational and subject to change.

Roads Policing Fleet Age Profile

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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104. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of knives seized by gardaí in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [15553/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We are all very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to supporting An Garda Síochána to tackle this issue.

There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences. As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence.

As the Deputy will be aware, an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was established in 2020. The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the negative impact of ASB on community morale and quality of life. The forum has established four sub-groups to consider specific issues including one on knife crime. I intend to bring proposals to Government in relation to knife crime in the near future.

The attached table shows the number of knives seized by Garda Division. Information supplied is operational and subject to change and is as of 20 March 2024, the latest date for which figures are available.

The number of knives seized by gardaí in 2023 and to date in 2024

* Count less than 10

** Data to 20^th March 2024 .

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 for the recruitment, training and allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

To be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda authorities who have informed me that fewer than 10 WTE civilian forensic photographers were employed by An Garda Síochána during the years requested.

I am advised by Garda authorities that it is not the policy of An Garda Síochána to further report on numbers that are fewer than 10. In cases where the requested figures are fewer than 10, the personnel referenced may be identifiable to the general public, thus posing a potential risk to their safety. Furthermore, An Garda Síochána, along with fellow Government Departments and public bodies, is bound by existing Data Protection legislation; the release of figures fewer than 10 has the potential to compromise the protection and privacy of individuals employed by An Garda Síochána and moreover constitute a breach of this legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 9 April 2024, there are no Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) vacancies within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). Every Division within the DMR has a CPO.

Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of over €2.3 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.

This level of funding provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of 800 to 1,000 Garda members this year, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.

In addition to new recruits, the roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing across the country. The new model will see larger divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.

For the Deputy's information, contact details for Crime Prevention Officers can be found on the Garda website and the following link: www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/who-is-my-local-crime-prevention-officer-/.

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, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. This responsibility extends to members of the Garda Band. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 14 March 2024, there are 25 Garda members attached to the Garda band at the ranks of Inspectors and Gardaí. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that no competitions were held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the Garda band in 2023 and to date in 2024.

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 managing 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 keep people safe. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 representing a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 14,059 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of almost 10% since the end of December 2015. In addition, the provision of Garda staff has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.

I am also advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of March 2024 there were 320 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide. This includes 274 Gardaí, 39 Sergeants and 7 Inspectors. This represents an increase of over 38% since the end of December 2019 when there were 231 Garda members assigned to these units.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members attached to Divisional Drugs Unit in the DMR North Central on 31 March 2022 and on 31 March 2024.

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

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all decisions about Garda equipment. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions, and have no role in the issuance of contracts for purchase of Garda equipment, which are governed by standard Government procurement guidelines.

I have been advised by Garda management that the table below sets out the number of mountain bikes attached to the DMR North Division on the April 2021 and on 1 April 2024.

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.

Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled across the country and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions.

The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within division into four functional areas, one of the most important areas being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions.

The Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.

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 by the Garda authorities that the estimated annual payroll cost of twenty-five additional Community Gardaí is approximately €1.62m.

I am further advised that the estimated annual payroll cost of two additional Community Sergeants is approximately €153,000.

I am informed that the estimated annual payroll cost of a 25% overall increase based on the headcount at 29 February 2024 headcount is approximately €11.24m.

I am advised that salary costs are calculated using the midpoint of the current Garda Salary pay scale and include fixed allowances which the member is entitled to. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI is also included. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included. Future pension costs are not included.