The delay in submitting a reply to the Deputy's original question, No. 292 of 7 December 2004, arose as a result of the time required to ensure the accuracy of the information requested. I regret any inconvenience that this delay may have caused.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the available information as to age, make and model of the oldest Garda car in each Garda divisional unit is as set out in the following table, which also details the average age of all cars in each division. The average age of the cars in the Garda fleet is 2.59 years.
Division
|
Age of Vehicle
|
Duty
|
Make and Model
|
Average age of cars in Division
|
Carlow — Kildare
|
7.67
|
Drugs
|
Seat Cordoba 1.4
|
2.46
|
Cavan — Monaghan
|
4.95
|
Patrol
|
Nissan Almera 1.4
|
2.34
|
Clare
|
5.57
|
Drugs
|
Renault Megane 1.0
|
2.40
|
Cork City
|
8.21
|
Drugs
|
Hyundai Lantra 1.0
|
2.38
|
Cork North
|
6.43
|
Telecoms
|
Toyota Corolla 1.0
|
1.93
|
Cork West
|
6.43
|
Escorts
|
Toyota Corolla 1.0
|
2.05
|
Donegal
|
10.25
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
2.34
|
DMR East
|
6.34
|
Drugs
|
Toyota Corolla 1.0
|
2.73
|
DMR N.C.
|
8.44
|
Detective Branch
|
Citroen Xantia 1.0
|
3.56
|
DMR North
|
7.83
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
3.03
|
DMR South
|
7.91
|
Drugs
|
Mazda 323 1.5GLX
|
2.82
|
DMR S.C.
|
8.22
|
Warrants / Summons
|
Volkswagen Vento 1.9D
|
3.33
|
DMR West
|
7.92
|
Drugs
|
Opel Astra 1.4
|
3.02
|
DMR Traffic
|
7.91
|
Escorts
|
Opel Astra 1.4
|
3.82
|
Galway West
|
5.95
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
3.09
|
Kerry
|
4.89
|
Patrol
|
Nissan Almera 1.4
|
1.75
|
Louth-Meath
|
6.51
|
Patrol
|
Toyota Corolla 1
|
2.74
|
Laois-Offaly
|
6.13
|
Telecoms
|
Volkswagen Polo 1.4
|
2.57
|
Longford-Westmeath
|
4.43
|
Drugs
|
Seat Cordoba 1.4
|
2.00
|
Limerick
|
5.45
|
Community Police
|
Fiat Punto 60 1.3
|
2.34
|
Mayo
|
6.47
|
Patrol
|
Toyota Corolla 1.0
|
2.50
|
Roscommon-Galway East
|
4.43
|
Detective Branch
|
Toyota Avensis 1.0
|
2.04
|
Sligo-Leitrim
|
7.91
|
Warrants / Summons
|
Opel Astra 1.4
|
2.56
|
Tipperary
|
6.59
|
Drugs
|
Seat Cordoba 1.4
|
2.33
|
Waterford-Kilkenny
|
6.43
|
Telecoms
|
Toyota Corolla 1.0
|
2.24
|
Wexford
|
6.26
|
Drugs
|
Toyota Corolla 1.0
|
2.18
|
As can be clearly seen from the table, only five of these cars are being used as patrol vehicles. I am further informed that these vehicles will be replaced over the coming year.