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Garda Equipment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Questions (155)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which operational equipment, including vehicles and telecommunications, is scheduled for An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32226/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand.  I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that operational equipment in An Garda Síochána is managed and developed in line with organisational strategies, which are developed as part of ongoing work under A Policing Service For Our Future; the implementation plan to deliver on the recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.  This plan will deliver real and valuable change to An Garda Síochána by providing the right tools and supports needed to deliver excellence in policing.

I am advised that telecommunications equipment will be developed as part of the overall ICT Strategy, ‘Connect – An Garda Síochána’s Digital Strategy 2019-2023'.  An additional €22 million has been provided for Garda ICT in 2021, which is in addition to the budget originally available under the capital programme 2016-2021, and brings the total Garda ICT budget to over €70 million for the second year in a row.  This is vital to support An Garda Síochána's vision of a comprehensive digital policing strategy. This Digital Strategy is available on the Garda Síochána website under the following link:

https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/connect-an-garda-siochana-digital-strategy-2019-2023.pdf.

Similarly, I am advised that Fleet Management is scheduled against a Fleet Management Strategy and the capital purchase plan for each year.  This ensures fleet optimization in order to enhance the policing capability of An Garda Síochána whilst minimising the environmental impact.  As of 30 September 2020, the current Garda Fleet stands at 3,046.  Some 237 vehicles have been purchased this year, with a further 210 vehicles to issue before the end of 2020.  In addition to this a further 77 vehicles will be allocated in early 2021.  Further information on Garda fleet management can be found on the Garda Síochána website at the following link:

https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-%E2%80%93-fleet-management.html.

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