Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
545. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of new marked Garda vans that came into the fleet in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of vans withdrawn from the fleet during same period. [43408/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law 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 decisions. 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 pleased to note that significant capital investment continues to be made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for the Garda fleet during the period 2016 to 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. The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of marked Garda vans allocated, removed, and the number of vans that are less than one year old for the years in question.
|
Marked Garda Vans |
2020 |
2021* |
|
Allocated |
25 |
41 |
|
Removed |
29 |
26 |
|
Less than 1 year old |
25** |
52 |
*figures for 2021 are as of 31 August 2021
**less than one year old as of 31 December 2020
