As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is determined on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources, and decisions regarding the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles are reviewed on a continual basis.
I have been provided by the Garda authorities with the below table, outlining a yearly breakdown of the number of unmarked vans allocated to the Garda Fleet.
Year
|
Unmarked Vans
|
2021*
|
34
|
2020
|
11
|
2019
|
19
|
2018
|
35
|
I have also been provided by the Garda authorities with the following table, outlining a yearly breakdown of the number of unmarked vans removed from the Garda Fleet.
Year
|
Unmarked vans
|
2021*
|
4
|
2020
|
4
|
2019
|
13
|
2018
|
29
|
*Figure for 2021 is up to 8 October 2021. Figures are operational and subject to change.