Vol. 546 No. 5
21 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of motor vehicles available to the gardaí in the Dublin Metropolitan area; the support or replacement vehicles available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31750/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas that a total of 497 vehicles are allocated to stations within the Dublin metropolitan area. I am also informed that, in addition, support is provided by national units such as the national surveillance unit, the Garda bureau of fraud investigation, the special detective unit and other similar units which have approximately another 350 vehicles available. A total of 35 vehicles are currently retained as spares at Garda headquarters. The Deputy may also wish to note that provision is made in the Garda Vote each year for the purchase and delivery of vehicles for the Garda fleet and the maintenance of existing vehicles. This year alone, over IR£6 million, 7.6 million will be spent on the purchase of new vehicles. The Garda fleet is also being constantly upgraded in order to ensure that the most modern facilities are available to members of the Garda Síochána in the performance of their duties.
