Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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752. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 368 on 2 October 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities in order for this PQ to be answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61433/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 368 of 2 October 2025 where you sought: “the amount that An Garda Síochána have spent on maintenance of existing Garda CCTV camera systems in the years of 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form."

Community safety is a top priority for my Department and CCTV plays an important role in achieving this goal.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the spend by An Garda Síochána on maintenance of existing Garda CCTV systems from 2023 to 30 September 2025, is outlined below:

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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753. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time it takes for new horses joining Garda Mounted Unit to be fully trained for policing events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61434/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources.

The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras An Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit.

The training process of a newly appointed horse is dependent on a number of factors including age, previous work done prior to arrival at the unit and temperament. The process is gradual and overseen by fully qualified instructors who are attached to the Garda Mounted Unit. The process takes on average, approximately, 18 months to two years.

The horses are deemed fully qualified once they are competent in all necessary disciplines including ceremonial, patrol and public order. It should be further noted that all horses in the Garda Mounted Unit are subject to ongoing training while attached to the unit.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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754. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí by rank attached to each divisional search teams as of 31 October 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61435/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the allocation and deployment of Garda resources and personnel throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I contacted the Garda Authorities to request the information requested by the Deputy however the Garda Authorities sought a clarification of the phrase 'Divisional Search Team'. I have sought a clarification from the Deputy, however, I have not received further information.

It is open to the Deputy to resubmit a question at a later date with further information on what they are referring to with the phrase 'Divisional Search Team'.

In the interest of transparency, the Deputy may wish to note that An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda members nationally. This can be found at the following link:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/

The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the relevant file.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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755. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time it takes for new dogs joining the Garda Dog Unit to be fully trained for policing events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61436/25]

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.

I am informed by Garda Authorities that Garda dogs are trained in the following disciplines: drugs, cash and firearms, explosive and general purpose.

The timeline for training a Garda Dog is usually 10 – 12 weeks. This is dependent on the discipline and how the dog performs throughout the training process.

All dogs must undergo and pass the following to be deemed eligible and suitable for the unit.

• An initial assessment prior to determining their suitability for the Garda Dog Unit.
• On being deemed suitable the dog will undergo an assessment that will determine their progression to the training stage.
• Following successful assessment, the dog and handler begin a training course. Timelines for training in a specialist discipline (drugs, cash, firearms and explosive) is a minimum of 10 weeks training.