Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:896. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of restoring armed Garda cover on a 24/7 basis in the Cork region. [33771/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (896)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. Further, the allocation of Garda resources and distribution of personnel are a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in the matter. I understand that Garda management keeps these matters under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the available resources.
I have asked the Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will write to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 896 for answer on 24 July 2018 regarding armed Garda cover on a 24/7 basis in the Cork region.
As the Deputy will recall, the information he requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact him again when the information was to hand.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is an armed response capacity on a 24/7 basis throughout the Southern Region, including Cork City and County provided by the Southern Region Armed Support Units (ASUs), based in Cork City and Limerick City.
I am further advised that following a recent competition to fill vacancies and extend the capacity of Regional ASUs nationwide, personnel have been selected, with full-time deployments anticipated in the short-term.
I trust this information is of assistance.