Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2016
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has access to the most modern forensics to facilitate the fight against crime, including state-of-the-art telecommunications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3438/16]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the day to day management of the Force and the distribution of available resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised crime.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic objectives as set out in the context of their annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the 2005 Act. This policy is designed to ensure that the Garda Síochána will be properly resourced to meet the evolving needs of a modern effective police force and take advantage of proven up to date technological developments in crime detection and prevention as they occur.
In terms of existing technology, the Deputy will be aware that a considerable amount of new Garda ICT solutions has been delivered over the past number of years. These include the deployment of a secure national digital radio system (NDRS), the deployment and support of Garda and Community CCTV systems, an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system, and the addition of many new functions to the PULSE system, which itself is further supported by a dedicated Garda data entry service in Castlebar. The substantial additional investment of €205 million in new technology and systems for An Garda Síochána provided under the Capital Plan 2016-2021 will facilitate progress on further important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation. Examples of the new systems to be developed through this investment include:
- new computer-aided dispatch to ensure responsive and coordinated deployment of Gardaí in the community;
- mobile technology to give the Gardaí secure mobile access to critical information when and where they need it;
- investigations management systems to ensure enhanced management of crime investigations; and
- upgrading the ANPR to enhance policing of road safety and compliance.
The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which, in addition to the recruitment of new trainee Gardaí, also provides additional funding for Garda Surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. This additional recruitment and budget allocation builds on the current high level of investment in Garda vehicles. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015. The Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides for a further €46 million of investment in vehicles as well as an additional €205 million for Information and Communications Technology which will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime. Taken together, this step-change in investment in policing demonstrates this Governments commitment to investing in 21st Century policing and will ensure that the Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
In the area of forensics, the Garda authorities currently employ highly sophisticated ICT - based fingerprint and ballistics identification systems which I am informed measure up to those used by police forces in other EU jurisdictions. I understand that the Irish National Accreditation Board will shortly be presenting a Certificate of Accreditation to the Garda Technical Bureau for attaining the ISO 17025: 2005 standard for laboratories.
The Garda Síochána are also supported by Forensic Science Ireland who provide state of the art services in the area of drug analysis, trace evidence. The Deputy will also be aware of the recent launch of the national DNA database which will greatly enhance the investigation of crime in Ireland.
These and other new technological solutions, as well as the investment in resources, will ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective policing services in respond to the evolving challenges of modern day criminal activity.
