As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as for decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including the resources allocated from the Garda Vote to the Garda Mounted Unit. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Uachtarain, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. The unit has a national remit under the direction and control of the Assistant Commissioner, Roads Policing and Major Event Management and the operational control of the Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total expenditure for the Garda Mounted Unit from 2016 to 2018 is outlined in the following table.
Year
|
Expenditure
|
2016
|
€ 1,066,858
|
2017
|
€ 1,244,399
|
2018
|
€ 1,209,902
|
Finally, I understand that expenditure for the Garda Mounted Unit amounted to €111,362 in January 2019. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is envisaged that the budget allocated to the Garda Mounted Unit for 2019 will be in line with previous years.