Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1195.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are plans to provide the necessary funding to purchase high powered jet skis for the Garda water unit.[35678/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including decisions related to the purchase of operational equipment and the training of Garda members in using this equipment. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.

The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. It is 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 by the Garda authorities the Garda Water Unit currently have no plans for the provision of jet skis as part of Garda Water Unit operational deployments.

The provision and allocation of all Garda Water Unit resources including two Patrol Boats and four Rigid Inflatable Boats is under constant review and applications for new resources are made in line with European Marine Policing Best Practices and An Garda Síochána Procurement guidelines.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1196.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda members, by division, who have completed stage 1 of the senior investigating officers course in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the duration of this course.[35679/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.