Denise Mitchell
Question:
108. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the average response time for gardaí on receiving 999 calls in each of the Dublin metropolitan regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61195/22]
View answer
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once it is to hand.
A Deferred reply was issued under Standing Order 51.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána operates a Regional Control Room strategy which ensures that Garda resources are available to respond to calls for service from the public, including situations where a local resource is not immediately available.
Calls for service, whether received through a local Garda station or the 999 ECAS system, are routed through the Regional Control Rooms and prioritised for response. Higher priority calls will always take priority over lower priority calls.
I am advised by Garda authorities that it is not possible at this time to accurately report on the response times for Gardaí after receiving 999 calls.
However I am also advised by An Garda Síochána that they aim to answer 80% of 999 calls within 7 seconds and deploy resources immediately giving an estimated time of arrival. An Garda Síochána will take appropriate steps to deal with all incidents and ensure that emergency and life threatening calls receive priority. They will endeavour to get to you within 15 minutes in urban locations and as soon as possible, given the distance to be travelled, in more rural areas.
