I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the details contained in the tables set out hereunder outline the types and ages of the entire fleet together with the book value for these vehicles. The book value is the written down value in accordance with Government accounting procedures. This refers to the practice of writing off 20% of the value per year.
Ages of vehicles will not necessarily conform exactly to the registration number as ages are calculated from the date on which the vehicle is commissioned for operational service and is also the date on which warranty commences. On average, between 400 and 500 vehicles will require replacement each year. Based on current mileages and the average cost per vehicle for 2003 being €19,500, the cost of fleet replacement is estimated at between €8.5 million and €9.5 million per annum. However, this figure does not take account of special circumstances or the need for specialist vehicles that may arise from time to time.