asked the Minister for Justice the savings his Department expects to achieve as a result of the new cost saving method, recently developed at the radio workshop at Garda Headquarters, of using car radios on motor cycles.
Written Answers. - Garda Motor Cycle Equipment.
23.
Limerick East): Installing a car radio set, instead of a special motorcycle set, on a Garda motor cycle will result in a saving of approximately £450 per installation and the number of motor cycles used by the force is approximately 275. It is proposed to install car sets on 50 motor cycles in the immediate future and to install further car sets as existing motor cycle sets need to be replaced. Accordingly, it is expected that savings of at least £22,500 will arise in the near future and that ultimately further savings in the region of £100,000 will be realised over the next four or five years. In addition, it is expected that the car sets will have a longer life and will require less maintenance than sets provided hitherto but it is as yet not possible to quantify savings under these headings.
I might add that a number of people, each in his own way, contributed to the development of this idea which was suggested by experience in other countries. The savings are largely the result of excellent team effort on the part of personnel engaged in the Garda Radio Service.