Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources remain available and continue to be made available to An Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13799/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which Garda cars and information technology continue to be updated in line with best international practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13815/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 141 together.
Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for Justice in consultation with the Commissioner as provided for under Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 January, 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 12,763. There are also 1,100 Garda Reserves and 2,000 Civilians attached to An Garda Síochána.
I was very pleased that my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform agreed to the resumption of Garda recruitment. Last September, 100 new Garda recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore, the first intake of Garda recruits since May 2009. This was followed by an intake of a further 100 recruits in December and a third intake of 100 in January of this year. The first of these intakes will attest as sworn members of the Force in May of this year with the additional recruits attesting in September and October. In addition, I have received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for two further intakes of 125 Garda recruits later this year.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that they are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic objectives as set out in the context of their annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which includes commitments to target individuals and groups engaged in organised criminal activity and terrorism. This policy is designed to ensure that the Garda Síochána will be in a position to meet the evolving needs of a modern effective police force and take advantage of proven up to date technological developments in crime detection and prevention as they occur.
In terms of existing technology, the Deputy will be aware that a considerable amount of new Garda ICT solutions has been delivered over the past number of years. These include the deployment of a secure national digital radio system (NDRS), the deployment and support of Garda and Community CCTV systems, an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system, and the addition of many new functions to the PULSE system, which itself is further supported by a dedicated Garda data entry service in Castlebar.
In the area of forensics the situation is that the Garda authorities currently employ state-of-the-art automated fingerprint and ballistics identification systems which I am informed are at least on a par with those used by police forces in other EU jurisdictions. The Deputy will also be aware that the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will be further enhanced by a new national DNA database, scheduled to become operational shortly, which was established on foot of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act, 2014.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet of which €7 million was made available in 2014. This funding brings the total investment in the Garda fleet in 2014 to €11 million. The remaining €3 million is being made available for the purchase and fit out of additional Garda vehicles in 2015.
In October, 2014, an order was placed for 370 new vehicles. These vehicles were delivered towards the end of 2014, and following fit out, are being allocated in accordance with the Garda Commissioner's operational requirements.
I have also clearly signalled my intention to support the Garda Síochána in their efforts to address deficits which were identified in the recent Garda Inspectorate report on crime investigation. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised in the report are widespread, varied and far-reaching and, when taken together with the review of the Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road agreement, will demand significant structural reform within the Garda Síochána. The need for additional resources across a number of areas will be examined within that context. Furthermore, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Commissioner has commenced an in-depth examination of all recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate Report with a view to determining what can be implemented in the short, medium and long term. I also look forward to the significant contribution to this process of reform that will be made by the new policing authority which is to be established shortly.
