Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1555. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost in 2023 if the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit increased by 50%; the estimated cost in 2023 if the number of horses in the Garda mounted unit increased by 50%. [40274/22]
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 for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
I am further advised that there are currently 28 dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, and that based on the current cost of purchasing Garda Dogs which is in the range of €2,000 - €4,000, it is estimated that the purchase of 14 additional dogs could range from €28,000 and €56,000.
I am informed that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and also has a national remit.
I am further informed that there are currently 13 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit, and that the current cost of increasing the number of horses to 20 is estimated at approximately €70,000.
These estimates do not include the costs of increased personnel, running costs and capital accommodation costs which would be necessitated by a 50% expansion in the number of animals within the respective units.
