Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Operations.

Denis Naughten

Question:

677 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the budget and manpower allocated to upgrading the Garda IT system and other relevant enforcement technology in each of the past five years, 2002 inclusive; when the upgrade of the IT system will be completed; when it will be able to cater for the new penalty points system; the reason for the delays to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12318/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am committed to providing the Garda with the necessary resources to assist it in the fight against crime, including the provision of modern technology. In this area, the resources available to the Garda have been significantly enhanced in recent years.

The deployment and introduction of information systems and other modern technologies to assist the force is a continuous process and there are a number of projects currently under way or recently completed which will add further to Garda resources. Specifically, the PULSE system is available at 181 locations which include divisional and district headquarters and all major city stations. Under this level of coverage, 85% of all incidents are directly captured and over 75% of Garda personnel have direct access to PULSE systems in their own stations. At the same time, training for the system has been undertaken for members in other stations who also have the means to link up with the PULSE network indirectly. Due to the size and complexity of the project, roll-out of the system has taken place in phased releases. It is planned to deploy the final release of the system later this year.

With regard to the computerised fixed charge processing system which will facilitate the full implementation of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2002 and the full introduction of the penalty point system, a contract for the development of the system finalised and signed with the successful tenderer in September 2002. The request for tender document targeted a 15 month time frame from commencement of the project for the supplier to develop the system. This will be followed by a period during which the system will be piloted and monitored before being rolled out nationwide by the Garda. It is expected that implementation of the system throughout the State will commence in the second quarter of 2004 with the progressive extension of the system to cater for all penalty point offences taking place as quickly as possible thereafter.

In the area of communications systems, Government approval has been obtained for the replacement of the existing Garda radio network with a digital trunked radio system. In that context, a pilot project in the Dublin area is now virtually complete.

Garda closed circuit television schemes, CCTV, as aids to policing, have been introduced in Dublin north central, Dublin south central, Tralee and Cork city. Subject to the availability of funds, 17 locations are also set to receive new Garda CCTV systems over the next two years. These locations are (in alphabetical order): Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Finglas, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.

An air support unit including a fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters equipped with the most modern technology has been introduced. A high speed patrol boat for use by the Garda water unit in policing inland waterways has also been purchased. The boat is equipped with sophisticated navigational, tactical and communications equipment.

With regard to the cost and manpower deployed, the table below details personnel numbers and capital expenditure allocated to the upgrade of information technology systems from 1998 to 2002. The figures relate only to information technology and as outlined above there are a broad range of expenditure in technology in other activities within the scope of the question. A breakdown of these figures is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.

Year	Budget	Manpower
	€m
2002	16,043	143
2001	13,238	154
2000	18,013	154
1999	27,675	153
1998	19,085	97

Denis Naughten

Question:

678 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the budget and Garda manpower allocated to Operation Life-saver in each year, 2002 inclusive, since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12319/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there is no specific budget for Operation Lifesaver. It comes within the remit of the general Garda budget.

The number of personnel allocated to Operation Lifesaver over the past five years is not readily available. When Operation Lifesaver was established in 1998, it involved 20 traffic units comprising a total of 320 Garda personnel. From 14 April, 2003, the operation involves 30 Garda traffic units comprising a total of 473 Garda personnel. The primary function of these units is the road traffic law enforcement operation known as Operation Lifesaver. Other divisional and district personnel also contribute to Operation Lifesaver through their enforcement activities. All uniform members also enforce Operation Lifesaver.

Denis Naughten

Question:

679 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of fixed speed cameras currently in operation throughout the country; the numbers of location where they are in use; the Garda divisions in which they are in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12321/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Garda operates a range of modern speed detection equipment in the form of laser devices, radar devices, in-car and motor cycle detection cameras as well as mobile speed detection units, that is, GATSOs. They are also operating a pilot programme currently involving three fixed speed cameras rotated around 20 sites in the Louth/Meath division and the Dublin metropolitan region.

Question No. 680 answered with Question No. 642.