Paul Donnelly
Question:448. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if funding is available this year for the issuing of mobile fingerprint devices to be issued to frontline gardaí. [17802/24]
View answerTuesday, 23 April 2024
Questions (448)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of equipment among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.
The Garda Commissioner is also the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda budget and it's distribution.
I have been informed by Garda authorities that the implementation of mobile fingerprint capabilities is dependent on the implementation of a new biometric (including fingerprint) identification system which would meet the needs of my Department and Justice Sector agencies.
The requirement for the proposed new system was identified in a report commissioned by my Department. Officials within my Department are currently considering same.