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Garda Resources

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018

Tuesday, 18 December 2018

Questions (276)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

276. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated amount it would cost in 2019 if the budget for the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau increased by 12.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53272/18]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. This represents an increase of over 6% over the initial allocation for 2018.

Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable; investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period; as well as considerable capital investment in addressing the deficiencies in the Garda estate.

These actions are in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the expenditure of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in 2017 was € 14,848,315. Taking this level of expenditure as a base, a 12.5% increase would amount to an increase of €1,856,039 or a total expenditure of € 16,704,354.

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