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 the availability of resources. At Divisional level it is a matter for the Divisional Officer to determine how best to allocate vehicles so as to ensure the continued delivery of an effective policing service.
In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the details sought by the Deputy are outlined in the following table:
|
Date
|
No. Of vehicles
|
|
31st January 2009
|
73
|
|
31st January 2010
|
75
|
|
31st January 2011
|
77
|
|
31st January 2012
|
69
|
|
31st January 2013
|
49
|
|
31st January 2014
|
49
|
Overall, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9m for investment in the Garda fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles towards the end of 2013, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 new Garda vehicles which had already been procured during the year. The remaining €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit out of Garda vehicles in 2014. I am advised that the new vehicles were delivered in late December 2013 and are currently being allocated, following fit out, in accordance with the Commissioner's operational requirements.
The most recent investment will bring to €18m the total amount spent on the Garda fleet for the three years 2012 to 2014. 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.
