Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 17 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Transport.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

165 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which the Garda patrol fleet is up to date in terms of vehicles of recent vintage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following tables are an age profile of the Garda fleet for the various categories of vehicles. The age profile will continue to be lowered as new vehicles come into service and are delivered for the rest of this year.

Over 170 new vehicles are due to come into service for the remainder of the year and this will lower the age profile substantially as all older motorcycles have yet to be replaced.

Ages of Garda Fleet

(All Vehicles)

Category	Average Age	Number	Percentage
	Years	Vehicles	%
Under 1 Year	0.61	318	16.3
1-2 Years	1.54	469	24.0
2-3 Years	2.43	367	18.8
3-4 Years	3.44	276	14.1
4-5 Years	4.32	199	10.2
5-6 Years	5.43	144	7.4
Over 6 Years	8.02	181	9.3
Grand Total	2.99	1,954	100.0

Ages of Garda Fleet

(Cars Only)

Category	Average Age	Number	Percentage
	Years	Vehicles	%
Under 1 Year	0.58	261	19.1
1-2 Years	1.54	375	27.4
2-3 Years	2.41	291	21.3
3-4 Years	3.40	215	15.7
4-5 Years	4.29	96	7.0
5-6 Years	5.50	73	5.3
Over 6 Years	6.78	56	4.1
Grand Total	2.46	1,367	100.0

I am also advised that analyses have shown that the most economical mileage for Garda vehicles to be as follows:

100,000 miles for cars and vans

40,000-50,000 miles for bikes up to 550cc

50,000-60,000 miles for bikes of 750cc

80,000-100,000 miles for bikes of 1100cc

The policy of the Garda Síochána – as laid down by the Garda Commissioner – is, as far as is possible, to adhere to these limits when replacing the fleet. Average yearly mileage for Garda vehicles is approximately 25,000 miles per annum. This is an overall average and will be lower than this figure for vehicles other than cars.

Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 34.