Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1094. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 538 on 9 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to have this question answered. [34477/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1095. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 536 on 9 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to have this question answered. [34478/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1094 and 1095 together.
Parliamentary Question No. 536 of 09 July 2024 sought the estimated full-year costs in 2025 to increase the number of dogs in the Garda Dog Unit to 50.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
The Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services and the Operational control of Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
I am advised that there are currently twenty-five dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit. This is inclusive of the Southern Regional Dog Unit based at Cork and Limerick. I am also advised that the cost of purchasing dogs can vary from €3,000 to €6,000.
Therefore, there would be an immediate cost in the region of €75,000 to €150,000, to purchase an additional twenty-five dogs for the Garda Dog Unit.
I am informed that increasing the number of dogs would also require a significant increase of personnel which would further increase costs. There would also be higher ongoing running costs which would include veterinary, feed and kennelling.
