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Garda Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2019

Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Questions (231)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

231. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual cost of the national drugs unit in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the annual cost of each local drugs unit per area for the same period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24901/19]

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Written answers

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.

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