Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1053. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which state-of-the-art technology is currently available or being made available to An Garda Síochána to assist in the detection and prosecution of all forms of crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18325/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, the 2023 allocation for An Garda Síochána provides funding of over €2.24 billion. The Garda capital budget is an unprecedented €183 million including €100 million for ICT and €50 million for the Capital Building Programme.
The ongoing provision of capital funding on Garda ICT infrastructure will support the ongoing business and operational requirements of An Garda Síochána enabling them to deploy the latest, cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
In line with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 will introduce body-worn cameras for members of An Garda Síochána and strengthen their ability to combat crime through the use of CCTV and ANPR technology.
Policing services across the world have gained significant benefits from the introduction of these technologies and I am confident that they will play an important role in improving Garda front-line capabilities and in ensuring the accurate recording of incidents.
The Deputy may be aware that the expansion of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) is a priority project under A Policing Service for our Future, the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The aim of this project is to significantly enhance the capabilities of GNCCB to tackle cybercrime in this jurisdiction. The GNCCB provides for top tier digital forensic services to support organisational investigations.
An Garda Síochána's Digital Strategy for the period 2019 – 2023 ensures that information and communications technology will continue to support and transform An Garda Síochána’s capabilities in areas such as crime prevention, investigation and detection, supporting victims of crime, and protecting vulnerable members of society. It supports the implementation of the Garda Síochána Strategy and the Garda mission of keeping people safe.
The overarching theme and title for the Digital Strategy is, ‘CONNECT’. It is a five-year strategy, consisting of five core strategic objectives: Collaboration, Enabling Information Led Policing, Ensuring Our People Are Connected, Enhancing Public Engagement, and Building ICT Capability.
The strategy will ensure that front-line policing and support staff have the technology to connect to the information and systems they require and that An Garda Síochána can connect with partner agencies who they collaborate with to achieve strategic goals.
Projects to modernise the technology available to An Garda Síochána are prioritised and delivered based on their impact and the resources and funding available on a multi-year basis with costs determined following detailed planning and responses to public tender competitions.
In December 2017 the first 50 members of An Garda Síochána in Limerick used Garda ACTIVE Mobility apps to allow them to access their email on the move, check a vehicle’s history and tax status, and allow them to work more efficiently with local business and community groups.
Following a successful pilot in Limerick the initial launch of the Active Mobility Service, a key project under 'A Policing Service for the Future', took place on the 3 December 2019.
There are now over 11,000 Mobility Devices (both standard devices and active mobility devices) issued to Garda members.
The Active Mobility Programme in particular is transforming An Garda Síochána into a digitally enabled police service by giving instant and secure access to a wide-range of Garda information and services regardless of location through mobility devices.
The following are some of the apps available on the devices:
PULSE Person Search App which has been deployed to over 2,000 Garda members, enabling them to conduct searches on PULSE and which will return all relevant records such as incidents, warrants and warnings. This particular app has been described as a ‘game changer’ for operational personnel and some notable arrests have already been achieved.
Fixed Charge Notice App for recording principally road traffic offences. Over 300,000 offences have been recorded using the app.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition App for detecting tax and insurance offences, disqualified drivers and PULSE intelligence warnings.
RDMS App providing a book on/off facility and access to roster and leave processes.
Email and the Garda Portal.
MS Teams App providing mobile voice and video conferencing services.
New Garda Learning Management System (LMS) App enabling online training for Garda personnel.
New Map App providing real-time access to a range of map information, such as Garda stations, legal boundaries, etc.
New KOPS “Keeping our people supported” Health and Wellness App.
