Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
623. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda motorcycles that came into the fleet in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the number of motorcycles withdrawn from the fleet during same period in tabular form. [34979/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration 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. 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 as of 31 October 2020, there were 3,086 vehicles attached to the Garda Fleet, including vehicles attached to the national units. For clarity, this figure does not include the additional 210 vehicles which have been hired by An Garda Síochána this year, to provide additional capacity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at 31 October 2020 there were 121 motorcycles attached to the Garda fleet. This is an increase of over 4% since 2019. For the Deputy's information, the table below as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of motorcycles allocated and removed from the Garda fleet in 2019 and up to and including 31 October 2020.
|
Year |
Motorcycles Assigned to Fleet |
Motorcycles Removed from Fleet |
|
2019 |
0 |
13 |
|
31 October 2020 |
20 |
15 |
Significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for 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.
Of this investment, a total of €9 million was made available for purchase and fit-out of additional Garda vehicles in 2020. I am also informed that in order to protect the ongoing availability of vehicles and in anticipation of the impact of public health restrictions on motor factory or fit-out workplaces, 94 additional vehicles were purchased by the Garda authorities in March 2020 at a cost of €2.4m and fit-out costs of €600,000. The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.
