Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Síochána Resources.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

23 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice whether she has satisfied herself that the resources available to the Garda Síochána, including modern technology, motor vehicles, telecommunications and other such facilities are sufficient to deal with the current requirements.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

A commitment was given by the Government in the Programme for a Partnership Government to implement a five year corporate strategy for the Garda Síochána to enhance their capacity to fight crime in present day conditions. I am pleased to inform the House that this commitment is being honoured. I announced on 14 December last the details of the package of law and order measures and the various strategies proposed to tackle the present crime situation, including the use of the most modern technology available.

An information technology plan has been drawn up for the Garda Síochána with the assistance of outside consultants. The first phase of this plan will be implemented in 1994 at a cost of £2.4 million to cover mainly computer capital and staffing costs. Total expenditure on the plan will be in the region of £26 million. This information technology plan will greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the force in the years ahead. It will lead to a significant reduction in the amount of Garda time taken up on office duties; an increase in the crime detection rate through improved quality of crime intelligence information and computerised fingerprint identification facilities; the provision of faster and better quality information to improve overall Garda responsiveness; a vast improvement in management information to enable more effective deployment and supervision of manpower; the provision of information to enable the Garda to identify people at risk and keep in touch with them; the provision of traffic accident patterns and information essential for the enforcement of road traffic legislation.

There is also provision in my package of law and order measures for the upgrading of Garda communications equipment. Garda radio hand-sets and car-sets which were purchased in the early to mid-eighties will be replaced with up-to-date equipment. A new modern integrated communications system will be installed in Cork city in the near future.

The package also provides for the purchase of additional vehicles, including specialist vehicles, for the Garda fleet and will ensure optimum replacement of the fleet over the next four years.

It is also intended to avail of modern technology through the use of CCTV cameras as an aid to policing and to combat crime in city centre areas of Dublin and for the detection of speeding offences on our roads.

In line with the non-legal recommendations of the Government's advisory committee on fraud the package also provides for the purchase of specialised equipment to combat this type of crime.

I am satisfied that the measures I have taken will greatly enhance the capacity of the Garda Síochána to tackle crime and will also improve the police service to the public.