Seán Fleming
Question:196. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a project (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20391/19]
View answerTuesday, 14 May 2019
Questions (196)
Written answers
The Deputy will appreciate that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of the resources at his disposal. Decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Commissioner, in accordance with operational need and policing priorities. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.
I have asked the Commissioner for the information requested and when it is received I will write directly to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 196 for answer on 14 May 2019 in which the Deputy asked when the kennelling at the homes of members of An Garda Síochána dog handlers will be completed.
The Deputy will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact him again when the information was available.
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 managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner in light of identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and has a national remit. I am pleased to confirm that dog units have also been established in the Southern Region based at Togher Garda Station, Cork, and Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick. I understand that facilities for a future regional dog unit have also been included in the Western Region Garda Headquarters, Galway.
I am informed that as of May 2019, 27 dogs are attached to the Garda Dog Unit, comprising general purpose (search), drugs and explosive detection dogs. I understand that 20 of these dogs are located in the DMR and 7 are located in the Southern Region.
I am further informed that An Garda Síochána is currently seeking to progress this kennelling project in conjunction with the Office of Public Works. Two structures were erected in 2018 and agreement has been reached with the OPW to provide kennels to the remaining members of the Garda Dog Unit.
I trust that this information is of assistance.