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Garda Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2013

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Questions (421)

Dara Calleary

Question:

421. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will allow An Garda Síochána to adopt a leasing policy for transport as is common in police forces across the EU; if he will agree that An Garda Síochána has an attrition rate of one patrol car daily across the State and that his Department's fleet replacement policy is flawed in that the recent purchase of 250 vehicles will not address the vehicle needs of An Garda Síochána. [14744/13]

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Written answers

Decisions in relation to the provision of Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner.

The Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and, in that context, I have been informed that the option of leasing vehicles has been examined. However, the Garda authorities have concluded that the current arrangement whereby Garda vehicles are purchased through an open tender procedure represents the most efficient use of available resources as, in particular, it secures bulk discounts for Force.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the deployment of Garda transport is determined on the basis of ongoing analysis and review of the policing needs of each Garda Division to ensure that the available resources are utilised to best advantage to meet the operational requirements of the Force. Garda patrol vehicles are taken out of service for a variety of reasons, including as a result of accidents or when the odometer reading reaches the safety limit set by the relevant manufacturer.

As the Deputy will be aware, I made an additional €3 million available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year, enabling the Force to procure a total of 213 vehicles in 2012. This is approximately the same as the total number of vehicles purchased in 2009, 2010 and 2011 combined under budgets brought in by the previous Government.

In addition, 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.

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