Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
876. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of ensuring all Garda stations have broadband access; and the estimated cost for all Garda stations to have high speed broadband access. [33750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years, in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. 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 provision and allocation of Garda resources including the installation of broadband in stations and their connection to the Garda network are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, in light of his identified operational needs and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the estimated cost to connect all the remaining stations to the Garda network will be in the order of €650,000, which would include the estimated costs of connection, the required IT hardware and any infrastructural works required. It is important to note, however, that this is a broad estimate only and that a confirmed or more exact figure would not be possible until a broadband solution is tailored for each of the relevant Garda stations.
