Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

639. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of occasions to date in 2025 where Garda members have requested the assistance of the Garda water cannons. [65449/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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, which includes the distribution and use of Garda equipment throughout the State.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as of 20 November 2025, Gardaí have requested the assistance of a Garda water cannon on eight occasions during 2025.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

640. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of competitions held in 2024 and to-date in 2025 for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the divisional protective services bureau; and the number of Gardai, by rank that applied in each competition to join the bureau, in tabular form. [65450/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence remains an absolute priority for this Government, for my Department and for the Garda Commissioner.

The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) - which ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance - was an action under both the 'Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland' and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’. There is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.

In relation to the Deputy's questions concerning the number of competitions held in 2024 and to-date in 2025 for sworn Gardaí to apply to join DPSUs and the number of Gardai, by rank that applied in each competition to join the bureaus, An Garda Síochána has provided my Department with the information sought, which is outlined in the tables below.

2024

2025

An Garda Síochána has further advised that three further Divisional competitions have been approved for DPSU, in respect of DMR South, Donegal and Mayo/Roscommon/Longford. The advertisements for these competitions are currently being drafted.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

641. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda cars and vans that were added to the Garda fleet in the Sligo-Leitrim division in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025; and the number of Garda cars and vans withdrawn from this division in the same period, in tabular form. [65451/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

642. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to DMR north roads policing unit as of 18 November 2025; and if he will provide same figures as of 30 November 2022, in tabular form. [65452/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 throughout the State.

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.59 billion to the Garda Vote under Budget 2026 demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

On 31 October 2025, there were 3,695 vehicles in the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 18% since the end of December 2020.

Garda authorities have provided the below table which shows the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to DMR North Roads Policing unit.

The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

643. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda divisions that currently have forensic collision investigation unit marked vans within their fleet, in tabular form. [65453/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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, which includes the distribution and allocation of resources and equipment throughout the State.

The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Forensic Collision Investigation Unit vans in the Garda fleet as of 31 October 2025.

The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

644. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí currently assigned to road policing in each district, in each of the past five years. [65518/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí assigned to Road Policing units by Division, is publicly available and 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 current month and access the file titled “Road Policing by Division 2009 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Garda numbers by Division going back to 2009.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.