Government and Garda figures have disputed suggestions by Garda staff representatives that the new computerised information and intelligence system for the force is seriously over-running initial estimated costs.
A report drawn up for the Garda Representative Association (GRA) suggests the PULSE system will not, as initially outlined by Government, cost £36 million, but somewhere in the region of £80 million.
The official side disputes the £80 million claim but agrees that when fully operational it could cost more than £60 million.
When it was announced by the minister for justice, Mrs Nora Owen, in September 1996, its cost was put at £36 million.
The system's introduction has been overshadowed by difficult pay talks which have led to the threat of industrial action by gardai. But sources on both sides say they are hopeful this will be averted.
Garda management is determined the system will be in place this year and says it is one of the most advanced computer systems for policing devised.
The current running costs are put at £45 million, excluding overtime and training, which may have added another £10 million, leading to the statements by Garda representatives that it is costing £55 million. However, management says the overtime and staff times should not be written into the costs as the gardai involved would be working anyway.
The differences arise over a claim by a computer expert retained by the GRA to examine the system's impact. The consultant, Mr G.M.P. O'Hare, stated: "The PULSE system, in cost terms, represents a major financial investment by the State of £45 million, not including overtime and training costs, and this only includes costs associated with release 1a and 1b [the first phases of the system's introduction].
"It is anticipated that an additional £15 million will be needed to deliver the remaining functionality. It is my belief that this figure will rise considerably with inflation over a four-year period and because it represents an underestimate. The total investment is likely to be of the order of £80 million.
"The scope of this system covering the 3.5 million population, 26,000 square miles, a recurrent [Garda] budget of £394 million and 11,559 personnel is in any language substantive."
Senior management disputed this yesterday, saying the initial phase will cost £45 million and this will be followed by a second, where managerial and budget data will be handled. The contract for the second phase will be going out to tender later this year. It is expected the second phase could cost up to £20 million.
Pulse (an acronym for "Police Using Leading Systems Effectively") will replace all the Garda's other computer systems and ultimately be used to run the strategic and operational planning systems, law enforcement control, investigative control, incident response and effectiveness, and resource deployment.
Senior gardai say it will give gardai in any station in the State instant data about any suspect brought into custody if there is a means to identify the person and if he or she has any criminal record or is wanted for any crime.