Catherine Murphy
Question:417. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the last time the number of horses in the Garda mounted unit was increased. [4085/24]
View answerTuesday, 30 January 2024
Questions (417)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that funding is made available to purchase horses as the need arises when a horse is retired and a new one is required. I am informed that 2 horses were purchased in 2023 and that there are currently 13 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit. This is consistent with the number of horses allocated to the Mounted Unit in 2022 and 2023, and there has been no increase in that time.