Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1547.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 25 June 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order for this question to be answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32335/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 25 June 2024 refers to the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Dublin crime response team as of 14 June 2024.

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 units and 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 unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. This funding has enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) was established on a pilot basis on 26 January 2023. The aim of the DCRT is to tackle mid-level organised criminal groups operating throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), through intelligence-led policing operations targeting serious criminal activity, and providing both a proactive and reactive investigative capacity for regional operations.

Since the establishment of the DCRT, a significant number of successful outcomes have been achieved arising from various intelligence led and proactive operational activity undertaken by the unit.

This operational activity is co-ordinated and tasked through the DMR Co-ordination and Tasking Unit (DMR CTU) under the leadership and management of a Regional Detective Superintendent.

I am advised that the DCRT provides operational assistance to national units and other DMR Divisional Resources in conducting searches and patrols for various investigations and operations across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR).

The DCRT has supported operations in numerous divisions across the Region in addressing anti-social behaviour. Their activities include proactive targeting to disrupt prolific criminal offenders and dismantle criminal networks in areas where drug dealing and related intimidation negatively impact community quality of life. The DCRT also supports specific policing operations, such as Operation Citizen in the inner city.

I have been provided with a summary of operational activity of the DCRT, which I include below for your information. The table captures activity, outcomes, and successes between 26 January 2023 and 30 May 2024.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the objectives for the establishment of the DCRT in the DMR are being realised, with positive outcomes achieved and the commencement of a significant number of prosecutions for serious criminal offences across the region at the mid-level of organised crime.

I am further informed the DCRT is currently assigned 1 Inspector, 8 Sergeants, and 30 Gardaí operating across four units between the hours of 7am and 2am. The personnel are currently assigned on a temporary basis which will be subject of periodic review. All activity is co-ordinated on a regional basis under the leadership of a Regional Detective Superintendent.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1548.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents the Garda water unit was requested to attend to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32336/24]

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 deployment of specialist units. 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 the Garda Water Unit has been requested to attend 46 incidents to date in 2024. I understand that one request to assist the search for a missing person, or to aid in the recovery of evidence, could involve several days diving or boat searching.

The information supplied is operational and subject to change.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1549.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 30 April 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to this question to be answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32337/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Questions No. 505 of 30 April 2024, 455 of 21 May 2024 and 279 of 25 June 2024 refer to the amount spent on purchasing additional Garda public order equipment in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as for decisions in relation to the purchase, allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed that a total of €2,308,485 was spent by An Garda Síochána on public order equipment in 2023 and that €905,652 has been spent so far in 2024, up to 26 June 2024 (inclusive of VAT).

The table below sets out the items purchased in 2023 and in 2024, up to 26 June 2024.

I am advised that all figures provided are operational and may be subject to change.

The Garda authorities also advise that the following additional items have been purchased for the Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU) and are included in the costings provided above:

• Mark 9 Incapacitant Spray Canisters and holsters for GNPOU, which has been rolled out to GNPOU members since the serious public order disturbances in Dublin City in November 2023
• Round public order/riot shields have been bought, delivered, and issued to the GNPOU.
• GNPOU are now being issued with ASP Trifold handcuffs which will allow for quicker application of restraints to arrested persons in the various challenging environments where Garda members are deployed.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1550.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda community relations vans that came into the fleet in 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of Garda community relations vans withdrawn from the fleet during same period, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32338/24]

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.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1551.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 25 June 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order for this question to be answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32339/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 25 June 2024 refers to the number of competitions, by rank, that were held for Gardaí to apply to join Garda armed support units in 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of Gardaí, by rank, that applied for each competition for GASU, in tabular form.

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 units and 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 unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. This funding has enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units, including the Armed Support Unit.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there is currently one ongoing national competition to fill vacancies within the Garda Armed Support Units.

I am further informed that a total of 633 Garda members applied for this competition, comprising of 572 Gardaí and 61 Sergeants.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1552.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount An Garda Síochána has spent on purchasing fuel for its vehicles in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32340/24]

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

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

There are now 3,530 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána and an increase of over 35% since 2015. The fleet includes 2,657 cars, 589 vans, 132 motorcycles, 100 4x4 and 52 others (refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles).

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the amounts spent on purchasing fuel for vehicles in 2023 and 2024, as of 30 June 2024.

The Deputy should note that these are provisional unaudited figures and will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1553.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full breakdown of the Garda costs incurred during the visit of the US President to Ireland in April 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32341/24]

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.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1554.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda public order unit vans allocated to each Garda division as of 11 July 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32342/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

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 vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there were 31 Public Order vans attached to the Garda Fleet on 30 May 2024, the latest date for when figures are available.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 15 Public Order vans have been ordered by An Garda Síochána and will be allocated to the Garda fleet in batches as they complete the fit-out process. I am also informed that the vans are expected to be allocated by the end of the year, however an exact timeline is not yet available.

It should be noted that the purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána are based on identified operational demands and the availability of resources, and this process is reviewed continually.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1555.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars and vans allocated to each Garda district within the Dublin metropolitan region as of 11 July 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32343/24]

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

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

I am advised that as of 30 June 2024, there were a total of 3,530 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána and an increase of over 35% since 2015. The fleet includes 2,657 cars, 589 vans, 132 motorcycles, 100 4x4 and 52 others (refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles).

The Garda authorities have provided the table below which sets out the number of vehicles allocated to each DMR division in 2024. This data is accurate as of 30 June 2024, the latest date for when figures are available. The Deputy should also note that the information supplied is operational and subject to change.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1556.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full breakdown of the Garda costs incurred for the UEFA Europa League Final held on 22 May 2024; if An Garda Síochána has sought to recoup any of these costs from UEFA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32344/24]

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.