Alan Kelly
Question:561. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost in 2024 if the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit increased to 50. [54948/23]
View answerTuesday, 12 December 2023
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Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management 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 role in such matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a National remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services and the Operational control of Superintendent, Operational Support Services. There are currently twenty-four (24) dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit. This is inclusive of the Southern Regional Dog Unit based at Cork and Limerick.
The cost of purchasing dogs can vary from €3,000 to €6,000. Therefore, there would be an immediate cost, in the region of €78,000 to €156,000, to purchase an additional twenty-six dogs for the Garda Dog Unit. Increasing the number of dogs to 50 would also require an associated increase in personnel allocated as Garda dog handlers, creating salary related expenditure. Furthermore, it would raise the ongoing running costs, which includes such expenditure on kennelling, feed & veterinary.