Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
477. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if funding has been secured in 2022 for the purchase of additional dogs for the Garda dog unit and additional horses for the Garda mounted unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57424/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
An Garda Síochána have informed me that in 2021 four dogs were purchased for the Garda Dog Unit. I am also informed that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, plans sanctioned in 2020 to further expand the Dog Unit were delayed, however it is hoped that the expansion will commence in 2022 with the delivery of an extra 10 canines to the North Western Region. This expenditure will be met from existing funding.
I am further informed that there are no plans to expand the Garda Horse Unit. For reasons of capacity, horse purchases are only made when a horse retires.
