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 An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. The Deputy will also appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for arranging for the training of Garda members and civilian staff. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 573 bikes issued nationally for use by Garda members engaged in bike patrols.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, provides a breakdown of Garda members who have received mountain bike training from 2019 to date. This is a cumulative figure across the years in question.

Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

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 An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

The Garda authorities have advised that there are currently eight E-Bikes being trialled by An Garda Síochána.

I am further informed that as this is a pilot scheme, there is no specific E-Bike training programme in place. I am advised that the members involved in the pilot scheme have received appropriate instruction as to their use.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. 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 operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions.

I made enquiries with the Garda authorities who have advised that the information requested cannot be extracted from the PULSE system as there is no specific data field on PULSE to capture this information. As such, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the specific information requested.

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 for the investigation of alleged crime. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

Traffic Watch is a partnership approach to reducing the number of road collisions and fatalities. It brings road users, An Garda Síochána, the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority together in a united and sustained effort to improve safety on our roads.

Members of the public can report traffic-related incidents using the Traffic Watch lo-call number 0818 205 805. These calls are answered and logged by civilian personnel at the Garda Information Services Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The incident is then forwarded to the relevant District Officer (Superintendent) for investigation.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the District Officer then appoints a member of An Garda Síochána to investigate the Traffic Watch complaint. The investigating member makes contact with the complainant to:

• Establish the complainant's version of events
• Establish if there are other witnesses to the alleged incident
• Discuss the possible actions available, including if the complainant wishes the matter to go to court or have the incident dealt with by way of caution, advice or guidance.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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350. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline, from the reopening of the Garda College in 2014, the total number of gardaí recruited through the Public Appointments Service. [20252/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately, it has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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351. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average number of gardaí for each of the years between 2020 and 2023 inclusive; and the average number of sergeants employed by An Garda Síochána in each of those four years. [20254/24]

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 distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I can, however, assure the Deputy that the 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 more than €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.

In addition to new recruits, the rollout 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.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the average number of Garda members employed by An Garda Síochána between 2020 and 2023 requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.

However, to be of assistance I have provided the information below on Garda numbers. Please be advised that all the information provided is operational and may be subject to change.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members at Garda and Sergeant rank nationwide at year end from 2020 to end of March 2024.