David Cullinane
Ceist:
1041. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations open in the Waterford Garda division in each year since 2009 by name; the number of Garda stations open in the Waterford Garda division that had access to broadband, in each year since 2009; and the number of Garda stations open in the Waterford Garda division that had access to high speed broadband, in each year since 2009. [34640/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources including ICT resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and will write to the Deputy when it is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No.1041 for answer on 24 July 2018 in which the Deputy requested the number of Garda Stations open in the Waterford Division and the number that had access to both broadband and high speed broadband in each year since 2009.
As the Deputy will recall, the information could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact him again when the information was to hand.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána. Further, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT resources and the networking of Garda stations, are matters for the Garda Commissioner in light of availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have now been informed by the Garda authorities that the Waterford Division comprises 19 Garda stations and these are as follows: Waterford, Dunmore East, Ferrybank, Passage East, Tramore, Kill, Kilmacthomas, Kilmeaden, Leamybrien, Portlaw, Rathgormack, Dungarven, Aglish, Ardmore, Ballymacarbery, Cappaquin, Lismore, Ring and Tallow.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that during the period under review, two Garda stations, Ballyduff and Stradbally Garda Stations, were closed in the Waterford Division as part of the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme of 2012 and 2013.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that broadband networks and services are used to connect stations to the Garda network for official purposes. All of the connections to the Garda stations are managed in Telecommunications Division to ensure the speed of the network connection meets the requirements of the particular location.
I understand that to provide details by year would be a voluminous task and would require a manual check of billing for a ten-year period. However, the Garda authorities have confirmed that as of 2014 there were 6 Garda stations in the Waterford Division connected to the Garda network. Since that time a further 9 have been connected to the Garda network. This leaves 4 Garda stations in this Division which are currently not networked.
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that any member attached to a currently unconnected station can access PULSE at their local district station. Members in non-networked locations can also contact the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) or an associated networked station if required.
I have further been advised by the Garda authorities that options for providing members attached to the remaining stations not yet networked with local access to Garda ICT services are actively being explored. This includes an assessment of the availability or otherwise of local broadband services and/or the provision of mobile technology.
