Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2019
125. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Dublin metropolitan region north in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by division in tabular form. [24397/19]
View answerThe 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 for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána 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 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 identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no 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 so as to ensure their optimum use.
The following table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the DMR North Division for the years requested by the Deputy.
|
Year |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorbikes |
4x4 |
* Other |
Total |
|
2019 (as of 10 June) |
70 |
18 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
93 |
|
2018 |
79 |
25 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
110 |
|
2017 |
83 |
27 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
115 |
|
2016 |
86 |
33 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
127 |
|
2015 |
88 |
29 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
122 |
|
2014 |
88 |
24 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
119 |
|
2013 |
76 |
25 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
109 |
|
2012 |
83 |
26 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
118 |
|
2011 |
87 |
23 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
124 |
[*The category 'other' may include MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles.]
Finally, I can confirm that a total of €10 million has been made available for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2019. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they will purchase over 300 vehicles this year with this allocation. The allocation of these vehicles across the Garda Divisions will be for the Commissioner to decide.
