Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
496. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of marked jeeps that came into the Garda fleet in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and the number of marked jeeps that were withdrawn from the fleet during the same period in tabular form. [41226/20]
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 at 2 December 2020 there were 88 4x4 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, 56 of which are marked and the remaining 32 unmarked. For the Deputy's information, the table below as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of marked 4x4 vehicles allocated and removed from the Garda fleet in 2018, 2019 and up to including 2 December 2020.
Garda 4x4 Fleet Marked Allocations for period ended 2018-2020 to date (02/12/2020)
|
Date |
Marked |
|
02/12/2020 |
5 |
|
31/12/2019 |
8 |
|
31/12/2018 |
18
|
Garda 4x4 Fleet Marked Removals for period ended 2018-2020 to date (02/12/2020)
|
Date |
Marked |
|
02/12/2020 |
1 |
|
31/12/2019 |
6 |
|
31/12/2018 |
8 |
Garda 4x4 Fleet as on December 2 nd , 2020
|
Marked |
Unmarked |
Total |
|
56 |
32 |
88 |
* Off road Garda vehicles are classified as 4x4 on Garda Fleet
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.
