Michael Moynihan
Question:898. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda vehicles allocated to Cork north division in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33233/19]
View answerTuesday, 23 July 2019
Questions (898, 899)
Michael Moynihan
Question:899. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda vehicles allocated to Cork west division in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33234/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 898 and 899 together.
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 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.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that a total of €10 million has been made available for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2019. I understand from the Garda authorities that this allocation will be used for purchase and fit-out of over 300 new vehicles for operational use this year.
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 his 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 to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that no new vehicles have been allocated to the Cork North Division to date this year. I am further informed that 2 new vehicles have been allocated by Garda management to the Cork West Division in 2019.
More generally I can inform the Deputy that as of 31 May 2019, a total of 51 vehicles were allocated to the Cork North Division and 59 vehicles were allocated to the Cork West Division.
Question No. 900 answered with Question No. 801.