Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013
166. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will deploy more Garda vehicles to the Mallow area of County Cork in view of the fact that the public there are concerned about the lack of vehicles in the Garda fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11801/13]
View answerDecisions in relation to the deployment of Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational requirements. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. The Deputy will appreciate that a degree of flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is essential to the efficient management of the Garda fleet.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 31 vehicles allocated to the Cork North Division, 7 of which are allocated to the Mallow District. Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all policing resources and operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure that the optimum use is made of available resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. In addition, the Garda authorities have informed me that the current policing arrangements for the Cork North Division make the best use of available resources. Moreover, the Garda authorities have indicated that the needs of the Division will continue to be examined as additional resources become available.
In that context, the Deputy will be aware that I made an additional €3 million available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure an additional 171 vehicles, bringing the total number of vehicles procured in 2012 to 213. The roll out of these vehicles to Garda Divisions throughout the country is ongoing and, in that context, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that 31 of the vehicles are being allocated to the Garda Southern Region which includes the Cork North Division. These vehicles are being deployed in line with operational requirements. A further allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service.
