Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1109. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of new unmarked Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda national immigration bureau in 2022; and the number of cars and vans withdrawn from the GNIB during this period. [1217/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), 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 role in such matters.
I am however assured 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 advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 December 2022 there were 3,312 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 2% since end December 2021 when there were 3,240 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at end December 2022 there were 30 vehicles attached to the Garda National immigration Bureau (GNIB), which includes 27 cars, 2 vans and 1 other. The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles. All vehicles attached to GNIB are unmarked.
I am informed that 5 cars were assigned to the GNIB in 2022. I am further informed that no vans were allocated in 2022.
I am advised that 1 car was removed from the Bureau in 2022 and that no vans were removed during this period.
