Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:66Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation for the Garda Mounted Unit for the year 2012. [13912/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 March 2012
Ceisteanna (6)
Freagraí ó Béal (5 píosaí cainte)
I apologise. Occasionally, the humour of something gets to me. I did not realise that Deputy Ó Cuív had a particular interest in the Garda mounted unit. I congratulate Deputy Calleary on nominating this question on his behalf. I have a vision of Deputy Ó Cuív riding into the twilight carrying a piece of turf on his shoulder.
The allocation of Garda financial resources, including for the Garda mounted unit, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the total anticipated expenditure on the unit, including the cost of salaries, is approximately €1.2 million in 2012. I hope that Deputy Ó Cuív is happy with that.
I assure the Minister that Deputy Ó Cuív will not be riding into the twilight any time soon. I received information at the weekend to which the Minister may not at present be able to respond. The mounted police unit is used to promote the Garda and its activities, as well as provide security duties. In the past several weeks, the Garda has begun to issue bills for providing policing. I am aware of one town which has been issued a bill for €2,000 for the provision of policing for its St. Patrick's Day parade. I have no difficulty with the Garda charging for commercial events such as concerts but is it a new policy to issue bills for community events and celebrations? The mounted unit has done a successful job in recent years in attending shows all over the country to promote the Garda. Will these activities also be subject to a levy?
As the Deputy will be aware, many of the services the Defence Forces and the Garda provided in years gone by did not involve policing matters. They were not required for security or investigative reasons. The services were often provided at the request of communities in circumstances where the State was not in major financial difficulty. In respect of certain events where communities request the presence of members of the armed forces with a vehicle or gardaí to engage in something for decorative reasons but not to do with security, charges are now being levied to cover the expense of attending the events and the salary implications of those events. Where these are matters that I would describe as decorative as opposed to pertaining to everyday policing duties, it is for communities to decide the extent to which they wish to pay for those engagements.
Unfortunately, at times when resources are scarce - the Deputy would criticise me if matters were otherwise - we have to ensure the funding we have received is used by the Garda for important operational reasons.
It is important that the Garda engages with local communities. Careful consideration is given to these matters and the Garda will engage with certain events that do not give rise to expenses and may involve young people. The Garda role might be of a supportive nature in the context of dealing with juveniles or people in communities in which there are troubles and difficulties.
I do not have up-to-date information with regard to the specific event the Deputy mentioned but I will certainly find out the background and communicate with him on it.
Who sets the rate? Is it left to each individual division or chief superintendent to decide or is it set by Garda headquarters?
As I do not want to mislead the House or the Deputy, I will revert to the Deputy on the question. I assume it is something that is determined at the higher levels of An Garda Síochána with regard to the particular event that arises. I will communicate with the Deputy on the matter. I do not want to give him an inaccurate reply.