The the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 March 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 3,381 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet of which 68 vehicles assigned to Wicklow Division. This represents 2% of the Garda fleet.
Wicklow Division
|
Cars
|
Vans
|
Motorcycles
|
4 x 4
|
*Others
|
Total
|
Number
|
48
|
11
|
2
|
6
|
1
|
68
|
*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number and percentage of vehicles within the Wicklow Garda division that are aged between 0-1, 2-4, 5-9 and over 9 years old, in tabular form.
Age Profile
|
Number of Vehicles
|
% of Fleet in Wicklow by Age
|
% of Total Garda Fleet by Age
|
< 1 year
|
4
|
5.88%
|
0.12%
|
1-2 years
|
5
|
7.35%
|
0.15%
|
2-4 years
|
16
|
23.50%
|
0.47%
|
4-5 years
|
6
|
8.82%
|
0.18%
|
5-9 years
|
27
|
39.70%
|
0.80%
|
9+ years
|
10
|
14.70%
|
0.30%
|
Total
|
68
|
|
2.01%
|
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.