I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need to make sure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.3 billion in Budget 2024, a 23% increase since 2020, allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.
As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 (1) (b) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Under the Act, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána. Decisions on future allocations and spending in relation to Garda units are under the Commissioner's remit. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide a figure for the budget allocation for the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations. This unit is part of the Organised and Serious Crime Branch and does not have a specific overall budget allocated to it.