268. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the cost of expanding the Garda dog unit nationwide to 100 handlers and 200 dogs. [43781/24]

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to Keep People Safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This represents a 27% increase in funding since 2020.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business by law. This includes the distribution of Garda resources. As Minister, I play 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.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 26 dogs and 17 dog handlers attached to the Garda Dog Unit. This is inclusive of the Southern and North Western Dog Units.

Expanding the Garda Dog Unit nationwide to 100 handlers and 200 dogs would have to occur over a number of years and would require a significant financial costing involving multiple stakeholders to be undertaken. Therefore, a cost cannot be generated at this time.

The Deputy may be interested to note that the cost to expand the Garda Dog Unit would, at a minimum, include:

• Costs attaching to the sourcing of suitable animals for training.

• Allocation of additional 83 members and training to bring the Garda Dog Unit up to 100 nationwide.

• Allocation of additional kennelling facilities at the handler’s private residences for the additional 174 dogs.

• Development of offices and kennels in stations to a suitable high standard for the new members and animals being allocated to the Dog Unit.

• Provision of lifetime veterinary and food requirements.

• Provision of additional number of suitably adapted/personal issue vehicles to facilitate expansion of the Garda Dog Unit.

• Provision of a fit for purpose training facility.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there currently is an agreed expansion programme for the Garda Dog Unit nationwide. This programme is underway, and involves a gradual process of sourcing of dogs and subsequently training the dogs and their handlers.