Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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371. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of e-scooters that have been seized by Gardaí in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [13115/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.

An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted the dangers associated with the misuse of e-scooters. In order to combat dangerous behaviour, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of those vehicles involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.

Garda authorities have provided the below breakdown for the number of e-scooters that have been seized by Gardaí from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, and from 1 January 2025 to 18 March 2025.

I am advised that these figures are based on operational data from the PULSE system, are liable to change.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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372. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda public order unit vans attached to each division outside of Dublin region as of 13 March 2025; and if he will provide same figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form. [13116/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána which includes the distribution of resources across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

The Programme for Government commits to prioritising investment across the justice system, including in An Garda Síochána.

The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to fight crime, and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. Over €2.48 billion has been provided in Budget 2025, a 27% increase since 2020. This funding is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology and vehicles.

The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances.

I am advised 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.

To be of assistance, I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána.

The table below shows the number of Public Order Unit vans nationally, excluding Dublin Metropolitan Region, on 28 February 2025 and 31 December 2022. Only divisions with public order vans on the relevant dates are listed. Implementation of the new operating model in the period since 2022 is reflected in the 2025 data.

An Garda Síochána publishes information on the Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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373. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been achieved to date regarding the new Garda dog training centre; and when this project will move to the next stage. [13117/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the addition of new facilities to the Garda estate. Works on the Garda estate are carried out in close cooperation between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Garda management.

Under the NDP, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme; to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects; and to providing a modern, fit for purpose Garda fleet.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána work on the provision of a National Centre of Excellence for the Garda Dog Unit is at an initial stage of development. An Garda Síochána are engaging with the Office of Public Works and all relevant stakeholders to progress the project.

No site has yet been identified or secured, and detailed design will only be possible subsequent to the securing of a suitable site. In addition to the work underway with the Office of Public Works to identify a possible site, Garda Estate Management is also researching similar facilities elsewhere to inform the design of a National Centre for the Dog Unit.