asked the Minister for Justice the amount of money being spent on communications within the Garda Síochána in 1984; the amount in each Garda district; the type of systems being installed; the locations of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Garda Communications Systems.
289.
, Limerick East): I take it that this question relates to the new radio communications system which is being provided for the Garda Síochána and that it is not intended to cover expenditure on postal, telephone, telegram and teleprinter services. The allocation made in respect of these services is published in the 1984 Book of Estimates.
As regards the new Garda radio system, the allocation made in the 1984 Estimates for expenditure on the purchase and leasing of the required equipment is £1,024,000. This figure however does not reflect the cost of all the equipment that is being installed this year as over £4.7 million was spent on equipment delivered just before the end of 1983.
At present radio communications equipment, which forms part of the new national radio network being provided for the Garda Síochána, is being installed in all stations in the 18 Garda Divisions outside the Dublin area. The amount and cost of equipment depends on whether a station is a divisional headquarters, a district headquarters or a sub-district station. In round figures, the average cost in the different types of stations is as follows:— Divisional H.Q.: £54,000; District H.Q.: £9,500; Sub-District: £5,500.
It is intended to place a contract shortly in relation to the separate radio system which will serve the Garda Dublin Metropolitan area but it is not possible at this stage to say to what extent this system may be installed in 1984.