Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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704. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dogs currently in training to get into the Garda dog unit. [25850/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a national remit. It operates under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

There are currently 28 dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, inclusive of the Southern and North Western Dog Units.

I am informed by Garda authorities that there are currently 4 dogs in training in the Garda Dog Unit.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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705. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the extent to which gardaí who are not part of the dog handling unit are trained to deal with and-#or engage with dogs that are on the schedule of restricted breeds. [25851/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The restricted dog breed list is maintained by regulation (SI 442/1998) under the Control of Dogs Acts. Under the Act, Local Authorities are responsible for the control of dogs. Each Local Authority is required to appoint a Dog Warden or Wardens who, under Section 28 of the Act, are responsible for enforcing its provisions.

The Regulations outline a requirement to keep any dog of the breeds listed in Article 5 muzzled and leashed. The Regulations do not make reference to any responsibility of An Garda Síochána under Section 16 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended. Responsibility for enforcement falls to the Dog Warden acting in co-operation with "such other persons as he believes to be necessary for the purpose of assisting him in the exercise of his powers and functions".

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána have no role in the matter raised other than in assisting the Dog Wardens in carrying out their duties. While Garda Trainees are given instruction on the legislation surrounding dogs, Local Authorities are the lead agency with statutory responsibility for the control of animals.

Impeding a Dog Warden in undertaking their responsibility is an offence for which there is a power of arrest under Section 16(4) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, which An Garda Síochána may utilise.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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706. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of occasions that An Garda Síochána have hired out an external forensic archaeologist to carry out work on its behalf, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [25852/25]

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.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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707. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of horses currently in training to get into the Garda mounted unit. [25853/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras An Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit. It operates under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

There are currently 10 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit.

I am advised by Garda authorities that there is one horse currently in training in the Garda Mounted Unit.