Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1446.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a detailed update in relation to the Operation Saul; the number of Gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31220/24]

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 resources. As Minister I have no role in these matters, and I cannot direct the Commissioner in any specific aspect of Garda operations.

Operation Saul was initiated for the purpose of coordinating operational activity across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services across the city. Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned deployment of resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery of both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity, on a daily basis.

I am informed by the Gardaí that, as part of Operation Saul, each Chief Superintendent in the DMR ensures continued collaboration with key transport stakeholders and providers along with Local Authorities to ensure an integrated approach at key high risk periods. Personnel are deployed to perform, overt and covert patrols on board all public transport services, (Public Buses, Dart & Luas services etc.), on a daily basis throughout Dublin.

I am also informed that members performing patrols on public transport services take effective action where offences are detected, and initiate prosecutions where appropriate. From 1 January 2024, to 30 June 2024, there were 328 arrests made under Operation Saul. Arising out of theses arrests, 541 charges were preferred against suspects and a further 72 summonses were issued. 45 referrals were made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme and a further 22 persons were dealt with by way of Adult Caution.

I have been assured that An Garda Síochána is committed to continuing its efforts to dealing with anti-social behaviour on public transport, and bringing those responsible for such criminal acts before the Courts. I have also been assured that Garda members in the DMR will continue to proactively police public transport under Operation Saul as part of An Garda Síochána's overall response to preventing such anti-social behaviour.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1447.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a breakdown, by district, of the number of Gardaí who have received PULSE system training in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31221/24]

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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role these independent functions.

To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that it is not possible to extrapolate the figures in the manner requested by the Deputy. However, the Garda authorities have confirmed that all new Garda trainees undergo the Foundation Training Programme and PULSE training is a mandatory element of that training.

Since 2014 a total of 4,716 Probationer Gardaí graduated from the Garda college and have been assigned to Garda stations nationwide. The table below sets out the number of Probationer Gardaí that have completed the Foundation Training Programme in the years 2015 up to 28 June 2024, the date of the latest attestation.

Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1448.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a breakdown, by district, of the number of Gardaí who have received competency-based driving course 1, 2 and 3 training in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31222/24]

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

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1449.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on public procurement of Gardaí equipment in each of the past ten years, with a breakdown of the major equipment categories or types, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31223/24]

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