2183. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost in 2027 if the number of horses in the Garda mounted unit were doubled. [55484/26]

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes responsibility for the allocation and deployment of resources available to him, such as the Mounted Unit.

The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Uachtárain, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit. I am informed that there are currently twelve horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit. The cost of purchasing a horse is approximately €16,000. Therefore, the estimated cost to purchase an additional twelve horses for the Garda Mounted Unit would cost approximately €192,000.

It should also be noted however that the cost of providing additional facilities as well as the cost additional Garda personnel and the associated operational requirements to support such an expansion would be significant.