Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
877. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda roads policing motorcycles that came into the fleet in 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of RPU motorcycles withdrawn from the fleet during the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48745/23]
View answerThe unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.3 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
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 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.
Garda authorities have informed me that at the end of October 2023 there were 3,440 vehicles assigned to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 10% since the end of December 2020 when there were 3,112 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet nationwide.
I am advised that no motorcycles were assigned or removed from the Roads Policing Unit in 2022.
I am further advised that 12 motorcycles were assigned to, and 3 motorcycles were removed from, the Roads Policing Unit in 2023, up to 31 October.
I am informed that the figures provided are operational and may be subject to change.
