Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 November 2014
113. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the number of Garda vehicles in Malahide Garda station, County Dublin and planned purchases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43534/14]
View answerThe provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources.
Responsibility for the efficient deployment of 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. As a consequence it is not fully practicable to provide a breakdown of Garda vehicles by each individual Garda station.
In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 29 Garda vehicles assigned to the Garda District in which the station referred to is located.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured an additional €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet. This funding will provide for a significant number of new Garda vehicles. In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that, to date, an order for 370 new vehicles has been placed. These vehicles will be allocated over the coming months, following fit out, in accordance with the Garda Commissioner's identified operational requirements.
