Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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576. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ages of the boats currently being used by Garda water unit; and the average lifespan of those boats in use, in tabular form. [6267/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.

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.

The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime.

I am informed that the unit provides a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and responds to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and relevant agencies.

The unit presently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats (RIB’s) and six inflatable boats.

I am informed that a well-serviced boat can be expected to be operational for a time period in the region of twenty years. I am advised by Garda authorities that the equipment fitted is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary, meaning some boats are in operation for longer than twenty years, and some require replacement before that.

The two Garda Water Unit patrol boats are in use from 2000 and 2006 respectively. The Rigid Inflatable Boats were allocated to the Garda Water Unit in 2007 and are due to be replaced in the near future. The six inflatable boats are in use from 2009 to 2012 and will be replaced when no longer serviceable for GWU needs.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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577. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the transport budget allocation to An Garda Síochána in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6269/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.

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 the total 2024 Garda transport budget was €31.2m which represents an increase of 9.5% since 2020. The 2024 figures included €10 million towards capital purchases and €21.23 million in maintenance running expenses.

The 2025 budget is €32.2m, an increase of just over 3% on 2024 which includes a further €10 million towards capital purchases and €22.23 million for maintenance and running expenses.

The Government will invest in every aspect of our justice system to ensure that it is modern, efficient and response to the needs of all our people.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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578. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year costs if the number of horses within Garda mounted unit increased to 31. [6270/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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579. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspections carried out by Gardaí within the Tipperary division on pubs, clubs, and so on, to ensure full compliance with intoxicating liquor laws in 2024; and the number of those premises found to be in breach of intoxicating liquor laws in 2024, in tabular form. [6271/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including liquor licensing inspections. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that 861 inspections were carried out in the Clare/Tipperary Division during 2024. During this period, 14 breaches were recorded.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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580. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda divisions that currently have a Garda community relations van, in tabular form. [6272/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions.

As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use.

The table below has been provided to me by Garda management.

Community Relations vans in the Garda fleet by Division on 31 January 2025

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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581. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount An Garda Síochána spent on hiring external quantity surveyors to carry out work on its behalf in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6273/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion for 2025 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.

I am informed that Garda Estate Management has not spent any money engaging external quantity surveyors in 2024 or to date in 2025.