Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on the roll out of the pilot Garda body cam scheme. [60350/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána needs modern tools and equipment to help our Gardaí do their jobs in protecting people from harm and saving lives. This includes equipping all frontline Gardaí with body worn cameras which is something I am committed to progressing, as outlined in the Programme for Government.

Using technology to enhance policing services is part of the Garda Digital Strategy, and another step towards the overall goal of developing an information-led policing service.

The 2026 Garda budget of €2.59 billion includes an investment of €160 million in Garda technology, equipment and innovation and allocates €19 million towards the national roll-out of Body Worn Cameras at scale.

Currently the 'proof of concept' (POC) phase for body-worn cameras is ongoing in selected stations in three locations: Dublin, Waterford and Limerick. The purpose of the trial is to assess how body-worn cameras and the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) will be used operationally and to inform the technical design, required infrastructure and procurement process for the national solution for all of An Garda Síochána. There are 600 body-worn cameras in use across the five proof of concept stations, including three Dublin stations, namely Kevin Street, Pearse Street, and Store Street, and also in Limerick’s Henry Street Station and Waterford Garda Station.

The next step is moving from the 'proof of concept' to the establishment of a full programme for procuring and implementing a national Body Worn Camera Solution, in addition to a national Digital Evidence Management System. The implementation plan and timing for this next stage is being finalised by An Garda Síochána, who are also getting the required approvals in place to go to tender in 2026.

My priority will be to support An Garda Síochána to move towards the nationwide roll-out of body worn cameras, and the development of a new digital evidence management system.