Martin Kenny
Question:712. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of updating the entire An Garda Síochána ICT structures, including all hardware and software. [34053/22]
View answerTuesday, 28 June 2022
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The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion. Since 2016 the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €500m, or 33%.
The 2022 allocation includes provision for a capital budget of some €147 million encompassing an Garda Síochána’s ICT and Building Programme and ongoing investment in the organisation’s transport fleet. Budget 2022 also provides an additional €10.5 million for Garda operational expenditure – including provision for new mobile devices.
The ongoing provision of capital funding on Garda ICT infrastructure will support both existing and new ICT systems and develop them further. This investment will support the ongoing business and operational requirements of An Garda Síochána enabling them to deploy the latest, cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and is also the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the provisions of the Act.
The Garda authorities have advised that An Garda Síochána developed its Connect Digital Strategy in 2019, describing the necessary modernisation of their systems to enable police and support staff to connect to the information they require and to each other. This strategy also outlines how they can connect and collaborate with their partner agencies to achieve An Garda Síochána’s strategic goals and, most importantly, that An Garda Síochána can connect with the public whom they endeavour to keep safe.
The 2020 Data & Technology Vision builds on the Connect Digital Strategy to describe how An Garda Síochána will deliver on the 8th principle of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland – that Policing should be “information led”. The Data & Technology Vision has been agreed with stakeholders such as the Policing Authority and the Implementation Group on Policing Reform.
Projects to modernise the technology available to An Garda Síochána are prioritised and delivered based on their impact and the resources and funding available on a multi-year basis with costs determined following detailed planning and responses to public tender competitions.
As the Deputy will appreciate funding for the Garda Vote, of which ICT programmes are a component, is agreed through the standard Budgetary process including within the capital provisions at Vote Group level provided in the National Development Plan.