Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
475. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of maintenance of Garda vehicles in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 excluding staffing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17524/14]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote.
In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the maintenance costs for the Garda fleet for the period 2011-2013, including spare parts, tyres and towing, are set out in the table:
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
11,496,945 |
10,703,431 |
12,752,325 |
I am, of course, conscious of the importance of the Garda fleet and, in that regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9m for investment in the 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.
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.
