Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
145. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations in counties Cavan and Monaghan that do not have the PULSE system in place; if she will provide a list of these stations and their locations; if there are plans to install the PULSE systems; the timeframe for installation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6122/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the information sought in the time available for reply. However, I have requested the Garda authorities to provide the requested information and I will be in further contact with the Deputy upon receipt.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 145 for answer on 7 February, 2017 requesting information on the number of Garda stations in counties Cavan and Monaghan that do not have the PULSE system in place in their respective station; if I would provide a list of these stations and their locations; if there are plans to install these systems; the time-frame for installation; and if I would make a statement on the matter.
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.
As you will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am, however, informed by the Garda authorities that there are 25 Garda Stations in the Cavan/Monaghan Division, 21 which have direct access to PULSE. In addition, the members attached to the non-networked stations have 24 hour access to the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) which has a direct feed into the PULSE system.
You will also be aware that the Commissioner launched the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 in June 2016 and that this Programme is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges. As part of the Programme, the matter of enhancing rural access to the Garda network by connecting non-networked sites to the network is being examined. This includes plans to introduce mobile technology solutions to enable operational Gardaí to access core information systems, including PULSE, while on duty and away from Garda stations.
I hope this information is of assistance.
