John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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339. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider facilitating local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) signing for people with deportation orders who are required to travel to GNIB in Dublin and attend in-person to sign once every 40 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14898/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that matters relating to reporting requirements for individuals subject to deportation orders are operational considerations for An Garda Siochana

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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340. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí stationed at each Garda station in Offaly from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am 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 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.

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.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of patrol vehicles assigned to each Garda station in Offaly from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14955/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the end of February 2025, there were 3,668 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 17% since the end of December 2020.

They have also provided the following information in relation to Offaly:

Vehicles assigned to patrol duty in Offaly from 2019 to 2024

An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown. I note the monthly Fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to February 2025. This is publicly available on their website at the following link:

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

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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342. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in an investigation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The murder of two innocent young people in Belturbet in December 1972 was an appalling act of brutality. The perpetrators of this bombing demonstrated a callous disregard for human life and it is a source of great regret that in spite of a comprehensive investigation, it has not been possible for those responsible to be prosecuted for their crimes.

As the Deputy is aware, in recent years a comprehensive review of the investigation was carried out by An Garda Síochána which identified a number of lines of inquiry. In 2022 a Senior Investigating Officer was appointed to lead the investigation from the incident room at Ballyconnell Garda Station. An Garda Síochána has issued appeals for those with information in relation to the Bombing to make contact, including via RTÉ’s Crimecall.

I am aware of recent media reporting with regard to the case. Clearly it would not be appropriate for me as Minister for Justice to comment on the details of an investigation. What I can say is that An Garda Síochána has confirmed to me that the investigation remains open and their work continues with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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343. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in restoring a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14963/25]

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. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.