Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2017
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to the policing experience of An Garda Síochána over the past number of years, including injury and loss of life, if steps will be taken to ensure that in their dealings with all manner of crime, including organised criminality, gardaí have access to the best protection, in terms of apparel and technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24693/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including equipment, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to be decided on the basis of identified operational needs and, as Minister, I have no role in relation to this matter.
However, this Government is committed to fully resourcing An Garda Síochána to ensure a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to effectively combat crime in all of its forms. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 700 in the total Garda strength since recruitment recommenced.
An Garda Síochána takes all necessary steps to ensure that members are provided with appropriate protective equipment, including anti-stab/ballistic vests. In particular, the armed units have access to a range of range of firearms, including less lethal options, special protective uniform clothing such as bullet proof vests, helmets and dedicated specifically marked vehicles which have secure storage for firearms.
In addition, the Government is making a significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. The Deputy will be interested to note that some 597 vehicles in total (including second hand for surveillance) have been allocated to the fleet in 2016 to ensure that the Gardaí are mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. In addition, some 200 vehicles were purchased for allocation and use in 2017 including high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles for high-visibility road policing to support important anti-crime strategies such as Operation Thor. This will be supplemented by funding of some €4 million which is available for new vehicles in 2017.
Furthermore, some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is also being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
