Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will sanction the use of live facial recognition technology by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12575/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána needs modern tools and equipment to protect people from harm and save lives.

This includes the rollout of bodycams to help protect frontline Gardaí and to allow them to investigate crime as effectively as possible. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 was enacted in December 2023 and provides a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána, for Garda use of automatic numberplate recognition and for the reform of Garda use of CCTV.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to allow for the use of biometric technologies in certain, very controlled circumstances as a tool to process evidence in serious cases.

Work is well advanced on the drafting of a Bill to amend the Recording Devices Act to provide for retrospective use of biometric technologies, including facial recognition. The General Scheme of the Recording Devices (Amendment) Bill, published in 2023, provides for retrospective searching of images which are legally in the possession of An Garda Síochána through the safe and ethical use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in limited circumstances only. It does not provide for the use of live FRT, although I am considering bringing forward further legislation to provide for live FRT, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.

Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí currently based in Offaly; if he can give a breakdown of the stations they are based in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12706/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I look forward to engaging 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.

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.