Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
411. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents that Garda air support unit were requested to attend in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2356/24]
View answerAs 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 the deployment of specialist units. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Air Support Unit is a national resource based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. The unit is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
The unit provides a 24-hour proactive and reactive service in support of operational Gardaí on the ground and specialist units. Details of the Garda Air Support Unit operational provisions are published annually in An Garda Síochána annual reports available at the following link:
garda.ie/en/information-centre/annual-reports/
I am advised that the 2023 Annual Report is not yet finalised and will be published later this year. As a result, figures for 2023 are unavailable at present.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, the below table extracted from the published Annual Reports, outlines the number of incidents the Garda Air Support Unit attended in the years 2021 and 2022.
|
Year |
Incidents Attended |
|
2022 |
1,497 |
|
2021 |
1,843 |
