Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
442. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 30 May 2023, if the necessary information from the Garda authorities has been supplied in order to have this PQ answered. [29432/23]
View answerThe Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy asked the number of Garda command and control vehicles in use as of 23 May 2023; and the corresponding figures as of 1 January 2021. The information requested was not available at the time to answer the Deputy.
I am now informed by the Garda authorities that there were four vehicles in use by Command and Control on 1 January 2021, and that figure remains unchanged as of 30 April 2023.
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 over €2 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 that the purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
