Minister McEntee secures €98m additional funding for 2024 to build safer, stronger communities

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has today (Saturday) announced additional funding of €98m has been secured for allocation across the Justice Sector to the end of this year.

Following her appearance at the Select Committee on Justice yesterday, where the Supplementary Estimates for the Justice Sector were discussed, Minister McEntee said:

"I am delighted to have secured a further €98m for 2024. These funds will be provided to a number of priority areas including €54m for the Irish Prison Service, €37.9m for An Garda Síochána and €3m for both the Justice and Courts Votes."

The increased funding will enable An Garda Síochána to bolster high visibility policing and support serious crime investigations throughout the country. A further €61m has been provided for Garda overtime to increase high visibility policing. This has been funded by way of - €32m of additional funding and €29m from within the Garda vote.

Key highlights of the Garda capital investment for 2024 include:

• €5.8 million for the Rosslare Euro Port project, strengthening border security and operational efficiency at this strategic location

• €6 million to acquire approximately 100 new vehicles, including public order vans and high-powered vehicles for serious crime units, enhancing the Garda fleet's capacity to respond to a variety of operational needs

• €8 million will mean that on top of a new helicopter being delivered in Q1 2025 a second helicopter can be purchased for the Garda Air Support Unit, improving aerial surveillance and response capabilities

In addition, An Garda Síochána will procure two water cannon to further enhance Public Order tactical capacity, with delivery scheduled for 2025. This equipment will be a key asset in maintaining public safety.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee welcomed the funding, stating:

"This additional support ensures that An Garda Síochána has the resources necessary to meet the challenges of modern policing. The investment in people, technology, and infrastructure will enhance Garda operations and support high visibility policing, making our communities safer and more secure."

"A key priority for me is that An Garda Síochána is a leading and modern police service fit for the digital age. This is why I have continually invested in the tools, technology and resources available to An Garda Síochána."

On the increase for the Irish Prison Services to a total of €500m for 2024, Minister McEntee stated:

"I am very conscious of the need to deal with challenges caused by the increased prison population. I have provided increased funding for greater staffing, while the capital budget for the IPS will increase by over 70% in 2025 as part of the plan to deliver 1,100 extra spaces between now and 2030.

"This represents one of the fastest ever expansions of prison capacity in Ireland. Works are in progress to deliver over 150 additional spaces by the year end. To fund these plans, I secured capital funding of €159m for the years 2024 to 2026."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Supplementary Estimates process provides for the funding allocations to the end of 2024. Four Votes within the Justice Sector have secured additional funds for 2024. Vote 20 (Garda Síochána), Vote 21 (Prisons), Vote 22 (Courts Service), Vote 24 (Justice)

An Garda Síochána

• Net additional €37.9 million for the Garda Vote (€32m for overtime and €5.8m for additional capital)

• €61m for Garda overtime to increase high visibility policing and serious crime investigations support across the state. This has been funded by way of - €32 m of additional funding and €29m from within the vote

The capital spend for 2024 has been reorganised:

• €5.8m of additional capital relating to Rosslare Euro port project

• €6m Fleet: the investment will allow AGS to purchase approximately 100 new vehicles of different types and capabilities including public order vans and high powered vehicles for units dealing with serious crime

• This investment will also allow the Garda to purchase two water cannons to enhance Public Order tactical capacity for delivery in 2025

• €8m Aircraft: This funding will support the replacement of a second helicopter in Garda Air Support Unit

Irish Prison Service

Funding of net additional €54 million for the Irish Prison Service to end 2024.

• €19m - additional staffing and hours needed to maintain safe staffing levels, for increased prisoner numbers and for escort requirements to courts and hospitals

• €26m in operational expenses

• €9m in additional capital, to progress delivery of 150 additional spaces by the year end

The budget provided by Government to the Irish Prisons Service has increased to unprecedented levels, as a result of the Supplementary increase, the Gross spend in 2024 exceeds €500m.

Courts Service

• Gross additional €5.8 million for the Courts Vote net €3.3m

• Inflationary costs and increased Courts sittings requiring additional funding of €3.8m, and €2m on additional pay

Department of Justice

• Net additional €3m for the DOJ Vote

• Department will provide funding for €24m relating to Stardust compensation payment to the 48 families of the victims, this has been funded from the Departments own resources

• €5m to fund additional payments under the scheme for compensation for personal injuries criminally inflicted