The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. 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 and investment of €46 million in the Garda fleet over the same period.
In accordance with 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 allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below outlines expenditure for the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau for the period 2015 to 31 May 2019.
Year
|
Expenditure
|
2015
|
€8,323,575
|
2016
|
€12,600,597
|
2017
|
€14,848,315
|
2018
|
€14,261,455
|
2019 (as of 31st May)
|
€5,291,951
|
In relation to the information requested on the costs of local drugs units, I understand from the Garda authorities that as the cost of each local drugs unit is not accounted for separately, it is not possible to provide the requested information.