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Garda Transport Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Questions (237, 238, 239)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

237. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on the provision of rental vehicles to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2011 to 2018, and to date in 2019, to carry out their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17658/19]

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Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

238. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles per division which have been procured by An Garda Síochána through hire companies to date in 2019; if he has been informed of an impact on the operations of An Garda Síochána as a result of the use of hired vehicles instead of Garda owned vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17659/19]

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Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

239. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the use of rental vehicles hired through private rental companies by An Garda Síochána in situations in which Garda vehicles have reached end of life does not have an impact on the duties carried out by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17660/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 to 239, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. 

Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million provided by the Government for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021.  This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of his identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions.  As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that given this very significant level of investment and the overall number of vehicles available in the Garda fleet, the requirement for hire of vehicles is occasional only.  I am informed, for example, that this might arise where a non-standard type of vehicle may be required for specific operational purposes, or to meet a short term demand for transport.  I am further informed that on occasion, an unmarked hired vehicle may be required to support detective or surveillance duties or where there may be a delay between the decommissioning of an unmarked Garda vehicle and the availability of a replacement.  I am informed that no vehicles are hired for the marked Garda fleet. 

I am further informed that as all Garda members are issued with Tetra radios, the hiring of vehicles does not impact on operational effectiveness.

The following table sets out the information as provided by the Garda authorities on the amount spent by An Garda Síochána on the rental of unmarked vehicles in each of the years from 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019 (correct to 10 April, 2019).

Year

Expenditure

2011

€ 59,287.77

2012

€ 18,058.98

2013

€ 43,151.94

2014

€ 27,216.81

2015

€ 23,056.56

2016

€ 18,187.86

2017

€ 48,399.15

2018

€ 112,291.90

2019* (to 10 April 2019)

€ 40,743.94

 

The Deputy also requested information on the number of vehicles hired in 2019. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a total of 48 vehicles have been hired to date in 2019. 

Of these, I am informed that a total of 34 were hired for use in the various Divisions across the Dublin Metropolitan Region, a further 9 were for the Special Detective Unit, 4 in Donegal Division and 1 in Roscommon/Longford Division.

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