Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2019
108. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles available within the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to date; his views on recent media reports which indicate that the Garda car fleet within County Donegal is reduced by 25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38131/19]
View answerThe resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion, as well as €92 million in capital investment this year.
Very significant capital investment is also being made in the Garda Fleet. Between 2016 and 2021, a total of €46 million is being invested in the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
It is important to point out that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. In addition, 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, to ensure their optimum use.
The attached spreadsheet, provided to me by An Garda Síochána, sets out the number of vehicles allocated to the Donegal Divisions from 2009 to date (as at 18 September 2019), as requested by the Deputy. This information is broken down provided by Division and District for the years 2011 to 2019. For the years 2009 and 2010, the allocation of vehicles is available at Divisional level only.
I would point out that a total of €10 million has been allocated by Government for investment in the Garda fleet in 2019. Garda management has informed me that this allocation will be used to purchase and fit-out over 300 vehicles this year.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that to date this year, the Northern Region has been allocated three unmarked cars and that a further nine marked cars are due to be allocated in the coming weeks. As I have noted, this allocation of Garda vehicles is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and not for me as Minister.
