2471. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 2312 on 28 July, if he has received the relevant information from Garda Authorities required to provide an answer to this question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62567/26]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 5,328 live bench warrants in the Blanchardstown Community Engagement Area, formerly known as the K District.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that a bench warrant does not expire and is only removed from the PULSE system when cancelled by the Court. Furthermore the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, can be impeded by people actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement.

Local management in An Garda Síochána monitor the number of warrants (including bench warrants) under their area of responsibility. I am advised that there are currently two full-time Gardaí attached to the warrants unit in the Blanchardstown Community Engagement Area.

Applications may be made by An Garda Síochána to the court to cancel bench warrants following consideration of a number of factors, including: an error on the warrant, the death of the defendant, previous failed attempts to execute the warrant, the age of the warrant or evidence that there is now an inability to prosecute the substantive charge.