Patrick Costello
Ceist:
259. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice to outline the standard equipment provided to Gardaí assigned to the public order unit, and to confirm where this is provided to every Garda assigned to this unit; to outline the standard equipment provided to Gardaí who have received public order training but are not currently assigned to the public order unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26193/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 18 June 2024 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice to outline the standard equipment provided to Gardaí assigned to the public order unit, and to confirm where this is provided to every Garda assigned to this unit; to outline the standard equipment provided to Gardaí who have received public order training but are not currently assigned to the public order unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
As you will recall, I sought the information from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and civilian staff. I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí with specialist training in public order policing perform public order duties. Members performing duty with the Public Order Unit provide tactical support as well as a graduated policing response to appropriate incidents, while effectively assisting frontline Gardaí.
These Garda members are only required to perform public order duties when operational demands require their deployment, otherwise they are engaged in routine policing duties. The Garda National Public Order Unit, (GNPOU), is not a full-time unit. Members trained in public order are deployed from across the organisation for operational requirements when the need arises.
I am further advised that Members of An Garda Síochána that complete the Public Order Training course receive the following equipment:
• Helmet
• Overalls
• Boots
• Gloves
• Polos
• Long johns
• Kit Bag
• Baseball Cap
• Headover
• Baton & Holder
• Arm Guard
• Leg Guard
• Thigh Guard
• Water Bottle & Holder
I trust this information is of assistance.
