Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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350. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí within Carlow-Kilkenny division that are currently trained in the usage of drones. [39033/24]

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

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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351. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question number 309 of 2 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from Garda authorities to answer this PQ. [39034/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that I have received the necessary information from An Garda Síochána and a reply will issue to the Deputy shortly.

The annual report from the designated judge under the Communications (Retention) of Data Act 2011 was laid before the Oireachtas on 11 July 2024. The report contains a thorough review on the operation of the Act.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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352. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of stations in the Connemara area that do not have a Garda assigned, and the names of these stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39061/24]

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 various Garda stations. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resources garda organisation is central to this policy. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024, a 25% increase since 2020 allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now around 14,000 Garda members nationwide as of 30 June 2024.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.

I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:

• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.