Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:862. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full year cost of providing front-line Garda vehicles with GPS. [33733/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (862)
Freagraí scríofa
The Modernisation and Renewal Programme sets out a series of initiatives which will enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting-edge technologies in the fight against crime. In support of this plan, some €342 million, including €217 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT as well as fit-out of the Garda fleet, are matters for the Garda Commissioner and as Minister, I have no direct role in that regard.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that GPS does not form part of the current specified requirements for technical fit-out of Garda vehicles. As such and in the absence of a tendering process for this type of equipment, it is currently not possible to provide an estimated cost for installation of GPS facilities in all Garda vehicles.
However the Deputy may wish to be aware that the Garda authorities have advised that a significant number of Garda vehicles operating nationwide are fitted with TETRA radios and that as a result, the majority of those vehicles have a GPS facility.
I am further informed that the standard issue TETRA radio handheld devices issued to members include a GPS facility. The secure TETRA digital radio system allows relevant details (including for example incident details, location directions if required and any other relevant operational information) to be provided by the relevant Garda Control Room to Garda members as required.