Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1090.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1494 on 23 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities in order to have this PQ answered.[34473/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Question No. 1494 on 23 July sought a report on Garda Operation Run Off, including the amount of drugs and firearms recovered under this operation, the number of successful convictions obtained under this Operation to date, and confirmation if this operation is still live.

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. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.

Further to this, convictions are a matter for the Courts Service. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and the Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Minister has no role in these matters.

The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie

Operation Run Off was developed as a targeted approach to criminals involved in the sale and supply of drugs, gun crime and serious organised crime in the Corduff/Sheephill area of Dublin 15. It aimed to increase patrols in the Corduff/Sheephill area and help identify individuals involved in criminality in the area.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Operation commenced on 15 February 2019 in the DMR West and ceased in January 2020.

I am also advised that throughout this operation there were 317 drug seizures to the value of €777,934. 36 firearms/ammunition were also recovered.

In addition, there were 489 charges and 146 summons sent forward to the Courts.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1091.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of the current Garda vehicle fleet that are manufactured by Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes and Audi, in tabular form.[34474/24]

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.

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 informed by Garda authorities that 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).

I am further informed that An Garda Síochána does not provide breakdowns of vehicles by manufacturer as it could compromise vehicles that are assigned to sensitive duties such as dealing with covert human intelligence sources (CHIS), and surveillance duties.

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.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1092.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 386 on 4 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to have this PQ answered.[34475/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Question No 386 of 4 July sought confirmation of the Garda districts within the DMR where the "See Something, Say Something" initiative is operating, in tabular form.

As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.

The Garda National Community Engagement Bureau advise that See Something, Say Something is an initiative that uses a text messaging system to allow members of the public to immediately alert Gardaí to any issue that might be of concern.

Members of the public can immediately report a crime, or any incident of anti-social behaviour, by simply texting a brief account of the incident and the location to a short code number. This is a free text message which will be received by the Sergeant on duty in the local station and the complaint acted upon. It also allows for the public to report incidents anonymously.

Following a successful pilot scheme in Kerry in 2019, An Garda Síochána purchased the rights to the system. The initiative has since been replicated in Drogheda and Longford, and Swords Station.

The feasibility of scaling the initiative to national level is a matter to be considered further by An Garda Síochána, being mindful of the number of methods of communication currently available to the public to interact with Gardaí.

While this system does not and should not replace dialling 999 or 112 in the event of an emergency or urgent response, it is a tool to allow An Garda Síochána hear directly from the community and help ensure community safety.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the programme has received a total of 2,204 messages to date since it went live.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1093.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been secured for the purchase of new water cannons for An Garda Siochana.[34476/24]

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 under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including decisions related to the purchase of operational equipment and the training of Garda members in using this equipment. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.

I can however assure you that I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that they intend to obtain water cannons and that they are currently working to progress a business case for the procurement of same.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1094.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 538 on 9 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to have this question answered.[34477/24]

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1095.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 536 on 9 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to have this question answered.[34478/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1094 and 1095 together.

Parliamentary Question No. 536 of 09 July 2024 sought the estimated full-year costs in 2025 to increase the number of dogs in the Garda Dog Unit to 50.

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

The Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services and the Operational control of Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

I am advised that there are currently twenty-five dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit. This is inclusive of the Southern Regional Dog Unit based at Cork and Limerick. I am also advised that the cost of purchasing dogs can vary from €3,000 to €6,000.

Therefore, there would be an immediate cost in the region of €75,000 to €150,000, to purchase an additional twenty-five dogs for the Garda Dog Unit.

I am informed that increasing the number of dogs would also require a significant increase of personnel which would further increase costs. There would also be higher ongoing running costs which would include veterinary, feed and kennelling.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1096.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1532 of 23 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this PQ.[34497/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Question No. 1532 of 23 July sought the ages of the trucks currently in use by the Garda Water Unit; and if funding is available for the replacement of these trucks.

As you will appreciate, in accordance with 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 for Justice, I have no role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below provides the ages of the trucks currently in use by the Garda Water Unit. Information supplied is operational and subject to change.

I am advised that all vehicles are operated up to the manufacturer’s durability limits or uneconomic repair, irrespective of age. I am also advised that a comprehensive Service Repair and Maintenance programme is in place to ensure that all vehicles are operating to manufacturers specifications.

Furthermore, I am assured that the purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1097.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda national public order unit level 3 courses held for Gardaí within the Tipperary division in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form.[34499/24]

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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they do not run any course called "Level 3 commanding officer public order training course."

However, I am also informed that no public order training courses were held for Senior Officers attached to Tipperary Division in 2023 and to-date in 2024.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1098.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of property seizure holding facilities in each Garda division, in tabular form.[34500/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda accommodation are progressed by the Garda authorities in close cooperation with the OPW. As Minister I have no role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the location of PEMS (Property & Exhibit Management System) stores located nationally by Garda Region and by Garda Division.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1099.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 380 of 4 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this PQ.[34501/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Question No 380 of 4 July sought the budget allocation to An Garda Síochána's small capital works programme in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and the amount of that budget that was spent in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form.

The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

Additionally, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all decisions related to the Garda Estate. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in the allocation of over €2.35 billion under Budget 2024 to the Garda Vote, an increase of 25% since 2020. This increased funding is supporting the continuing recruitment of Garda members and staff, as well as investment in vehicles, equipment and facilities for the service.

The table below outlines the breakdown of allocations under Subhead A.12 of the Garda Vote (Capital Building Programme) published in the 2024 Revised Estimates Volume. The Capital Refurbishment Programme comes under this subhead.

The Capital Refurbishment Programme is an annual programme of ongoing minor and upgrade works to existing Garda facilities nationwide, which can range in value, from smaller scale refurbishment projects to the total upgrade of Garda buildings.

** Allocation for 2024 to the Capital Refurbishment Programme is €1,000, however there is an overall allocation of €57.3 million to the A.12 Subhead of Vote 20, from which ongoing minor and upgrade works to existing Garda facilities nationwide can also be drawn down from.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1100.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked and unmarked vans allocated to the Garda dog unit in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the number of those vans that were withdrawn during the same period.[34502/24]

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

The Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. It has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services and the Operational control of Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

The below information supplied by the Garda authorities shows the number of new marked and unmarked vans allocated to the Garda dog unit in 2023 and to date in 2024.

The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochánais made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.