Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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703. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 578 of 18 February 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to answer this question. [16867/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 578 (Dail Number) of 18 February 2025 where you sought:

“To ask the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year costs if the number of horses within Garda mounted unit increased to 31.”

You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again when the requested information was received from the Garda authorities.

A post reply was issued to you in the usual manner on 26 February 2025.

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.

An Garda Síochána's budget allocation is over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.

I am, however, assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.

The Garda Mounted Unit is based in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has capacity to provide stabling for up to fifteen horses. The Mounted Unit has a national remit under the direction and control of the Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of D/Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

There are currently eight horses assigned to the Mounted Unit, however the Garda authorities are making efforts to increase the strength of the Mounted Unit to the optimal number of fourteen horses.

It is not possible to provide the information requested as there are no current plans to increase the number of horses within the Garda Mounted Unit to thirty-one, and therefore accurate costs are not available. I am advised that some of the costs arising to create a substantial increase in the number of horses assigned to the Garda Mounted Unit include the cost of sourcing and purchasing additional horses, associated accommodation for additional personnel, additional stabling facilities, veterinary, feed, equipment, transport and paddocks.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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704. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has spoken with the US Secretary of Homeland Security since his appointment as Minister. [16868/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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While I have not spoken to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security since my appointment as Minister, I have met with the US Chargé d'Affaires, Michael Clausen to discuss matters of mutual concern.

The Programme for Government has committed to enhancing engagement with the United States, recognising the unique significance of the transatlantic relationship between us.

Officials from my Department and Garda Síochána colleagues have ongoing engagement with both the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Justice, and agencies under their aegis, in relation to a policy and operational matters, concerning law enforcement and security. These relationships are further supplemented by the presence of a Justice and Home Affairs attaché and a Garda Liaison Officer at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC and through participation by both countries in a number of multilateral organisations and cooperation mechanisms.