Niamh Smyth
Ceist:
248. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of operating Garda stations; the number of those stations that are not connected to the PULSE system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53595/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:
249. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations that do not have access to the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53596/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:
252. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of rural Garda stations with no access to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 249 and 252 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda ICT resources including the installation of data connections across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.
I have asked the Commissioner for the specific information requested and I will write directly to the Deputy on receipt of same.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Questions No. 248, 249 and 252 for answer on 19 December 2018, in which the Deputy requested the number of operating Garda stations; the number of those stations which are not connected to the PULSE system; the number of Garda stations that do not have access to the Internet and the number of rural Garda stations with no access to broadband.
As you will recall the information that you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to would contact you again when the details were to hand. I apologise for the delay in responding, while I consulted with An Garda Síochána on the matter.
There has been an unprecedented level of investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. An allocation of €1.76 billion has been provided to An Garda Síochána for 2019. Very significant capital investment is also being made, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment in people and capital supports the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
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. Furthermore, 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 identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
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 the telecommunications branch of An Garda Síochána to ensure the speed of the network connection meets the requirements of the particular location.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that there are 565 Garda stations in the State of which 58 stations are not connected to the Garda network. The Garda authorities further inform that they are currently working on connecting 21 of these non-networked stations but for security and operational reasons the locations of these stations cannot be disclosed.
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 Center (GISC) or an associated networked station if required.
I have been further advised by the Garda authorities that options for providing members attached to these 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.
I trust this information is of assistance.
