Catherine Murphy
Ceist:
335. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for replacing the Garda PULSE system; the progress to date on the installation and roll-out of a computer-aided dispatch system in respect of the additional €22 million that was provided for the An Garda Síochána ICT in budget 2021; the progress to date on sources and allocating additional mobile devices to Garda personnel; and the way in which she monitors the use of funding in order to ensure true value for money is achieved. [39502/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter and I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER:
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 335 for answer on 26 November 2020, in which you requested “the timeline for replacing the Garda PULSE system; the progress to date on the installation and roll out of a computer-aided-dispatch system in respect of the additional €22 million that was provided for the An Garda Síochána ICT in Budget 2021; the progress to date on sources and allocating additional mobile devices to Garda personnel; and the way in which she monitors the use of funding in order to ensure true value for money is achieved”.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
The requested information has now been provided to me by An Garda Síochána and accordingly, please note the following;
With regards to PULSE Development, you will be aware that the Garda Connect Digital Strategy and the Information and Technology Vision 2020 – 2023 sets out how An Garda Síochána will utilize technology and data to deliver on the vision of Information Led Policing.
PULSE is the core records management system in An Garda Síochána that supports operational policing across numerous functions including incident and crime recording, intelligence management and victim engagement. An Garda Síochána is undergoing significant change, such as the implementation of the new Operating Model. In line with such new requirements, I am advised that An Garda Síochána have a strategy to develop modern applications that integrate with the PULSE database and provide new technologies that support information-led policing throughout the organisation. This is an incremental and iterative multi-year approach to transform PULSE to deliver Information Led Policing.
I am informed that recent developments in this regard include the new investigation management system, the content management system and the property and exhibit management system. In addition, the rollout of frontline mobile devices and the development of mobile apps to streamline processes is being progressed including, for example, the issuing of fixed charge notices. The introduction of mobile devices provides frontline Gardaí with immediate access to pertinent operational crime and intelligence data as required.
In relation to your query about the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, you may be aware that a project to centralise the response for emergency calls for service into four regional control rooms covering the entire country and supported by the existing CAD system was completed in 2019. As highlighted in numerous previous reports including that of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, there is a need to replace the existing dated CAD system with modern technology incorporating modern call taking and dispatch features, mapping, mobile capability and integration with other Garda information systems.
In line with same, I am advised that the procurement of a new CAD system also commenced in 2019 and culminated on the 20th Nov 2020 with a contract being signed to implement a new system over an estimated two year period.
With regards to mobile devices, I am informed by Garda authorities that over 2,200 high specification frontline mobile devices (known as a Mobile Data Station) have been deployed as part of the mobility rollout. The devices have been allocated to a range of operational Garda members including Roads Policing, Regular Unit, Community Policing, Detective and Drugs units. A further 300 of these devices will be deployed to complete the rollout to Community Policing members before the end of 2020. An additional 500 devices is planned for deployment in early 2021 with further rollout of devices planned throughout 2021.
I am advised that over 2,500 additional standard lower specification mobile devices have also been allocated to sergeants, senior officers and staff to support their requirements, including for remote working as a result of COVID-19. Further deployments to support these other operational requirements for mobility throughout the organisation will also be made as required throughout 2021.
In relation to the monitoring of funding, the governance of ICT expenditure within An Garda Síochána is managed through the ICT Prioritisation Board, which monitors progress across all projects in ICT including the allocation of funding to projects. An Garda Síochána also report regularly on ICT expenditure to the Joint Working Group on Resources which includes representatives from the Department of Justice, the Policing Authority and the Department of Expenditure and Reform (DPER). The Digital Governance Oversight Unit within DPER provides sanction for all major ICT project expenditure to ensure alignment with the Public ICT Strategy and that value for money is achieved.
I hope this information is of assistance.
