I wish to inform the Deputy that information in relation to both the transport fleet budget and expenditure for the Irish Prison Service for the years 2015 to 2018 is outlined in the table below. The 2019 allocation has yet to be agreed.
Year
|
FLEET MANAGEMENT (Budget)
|
FLEET MANAGEMENT (spend)
|
2015
|
€1,400,000
|
€1,576,130
|
2016
|
€2,250,000
|
€3,201,356
|
2017
|
€3,150,000
|
€3,158,084
|
2018
|
€2,700,000
|
€2,790,583
|
In addition to the purchase of vehicles, expenditure for the fleet covers items such as Maintenance & Repairs, Motor Tax and Insurance, Fuel for Prison Vehicles and Toll Charges/Parking Fees.
Following the award of a contract for services to assist in the development of fleet management systems, a rolling programme commenced in 2016 to replace the existing fleet. While this resulted in additional expenditure in 2016, efficiencies in the purchasing and disposal of vehicles are expected to save money in the longer term.