Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2017
109. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations in counties Cavan and Monaghan that do not have the PULSE system in place; the locations of these stations; his plans to install these systems; the timeframe for installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39939/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Deputy will be aware of the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 which is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges.
Under the Programme, An Garda Síochána continues to extend the Garda network and is working to ensure that additional stations gain access to the relevant systems. Garda Information Systems such as PULSE will also be modernised to ensure that members have quick access to timely and accurate information.
The Government is highly supportive of these initiatives and this is underpinned by significant Government investment under the Capital Plan of some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 109 for answer on 21 September 2017, in which you requested details regarding Garda stations in Cavan and Monaghan that do not have the PULSE system in place. As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the details were to hand.
I have been informed by the Commissioner that of the 25 Garda stations in the Cavan/Monaghan Division, only three stations are currently not networked. There is currently no suitable data service available to connect these stations to the Garda Data network. For operational and security reasons the locations of these stations cannot be released.
Arrangements are in place to enable members in non-networked locations contact the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) when required. I am further informed that An Garda Slochána is examining other networking solutions or if a mobility solution would be more suitable in order to provide non-networked stations with connectivity where possible.
I trust that this information is of assistance.
