In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. 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, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the cost of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau in the years 2017 to 2019, as requested by the Deputy.
Year
|
Spend
|
2017
|
€5,611,983
|
2018
|
€6,447,755
|
2019*
|
€5,121,532
|
*as of 13/11/2019
I am further advised that budget allocations for individual Garda Units for 2020 have not yet been set.
As the Deputy will be aware, a record €1.76 billion was allocated to the Garda Vote for 2019, as well as capital investment amounting to €92 million this year. I am pleased to have secured an overall increase of €122 million to increase An Garda Síochána's budget for 2020 to an unprecedented €1.882 billion for next year.