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Garda Transport Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Questions (183)

Dara Calleary

Question:

183. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of Garda vehicles permanently located for normal police duties, excluding any vehicle that may be in the county as part of a specific policing operation, to County Mayo at 30 June 2013 and that were permanently assigned to County Mayo on 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011; the number of new vehicles due to be assigned to the county for 2013 and the number actually delivered up to 30 June 2013; the reason there has been a delay in locating the assigned number of vehicles in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34130/13]

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Written answers

Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and available resources. In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda vehicles assigned to the Mayo division on the dates referred to by the Deputy was as outlined in the table.

YEAR

Mayo Division

30 June 2011

59

30 June 2012

54

30 June 2013

54

I am further informed that, to date, 7 new vehicles have been allocated to the Mayo Division in 2013. In addition, I understand it is anticipated that a further 2 vehicles will be assigned to the Division in the near future.

Overall, the Deputy will be aware that an additional €3 million was made available towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure 171 vehicles. This brought total investment in the Garda fleet in 2012 to €4 million and resulted in a total of 213 new vehicles being procured during the year. Furthermore, a specific allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in the current year. I am informed by the Garda authorities that to date this investment has resulted in 133 new vehicles being procured.

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 deliver an effective and efficient policing service. In keeping with this approach, I will continue to seek to identify the potential for additional funding for the Garda Fleet. This will, of course, be contingent on expenditure in other areas across and outside the Justice Sector.

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