Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
869. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to DMR North Roads Policing Unit as of 20 March 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14204/24]
View answer870. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda command and control vehicles added to the fleet in 2023 and to-date in 2024; the number of command-and-control vehicles withdrawn from the fleet during this period in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14205/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 869 and 870 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
While the enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for the Garda authorities, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of An Garda Síochána.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána 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.
There are now 3,513 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest ever and a 34% increase since 2015, which includes 2,655 cars, 562 vans, 140 motorcycles, 103 4x4 and 53 others. (*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles).
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that as of 20 March 2024 there were four cars attached to the DMR North Roads Policing Unit. I am further advised that there were no motorcycles attached to the Unit on this date.
I am informed that as of 25 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were four Command and Control vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. I am further advised that no Command and Control vehicles were allocated to or removed from the Garda fleet in 2023 or in 2024, up to 25 March.
I have been assured by An Garda Síochána that the allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources and the allocation of vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis to ensure the best match with operational requirements.
