Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2012
163. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the age, model and mileage of the Garda cars currently available in the Bruff, Askeaton and Newcastle West districts of County Limerick; the status of the traffic corps patrol car for the traffic corps unit based in Newcastle West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39856/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In turn, at Garda Divisional level, the allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Chief Superintendent who may make and revise arrangements for the deployment of vehicles throughout the Division in response to policing demands. This flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is crucial to the efficient management of the Garda fleet. As a consequence, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not practicable to provide details of permanent allocations of Garda vehicles.
However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that in total there are currently 15 Garda vehicles assigned to the Districts referred to by the Deputy, consisting of the following makes/models: Ford Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta and Toyota Avensis and Corolla. The average age of the vehicles concerned is approximately 5.4 years and the average mileage is approximately 241,400 kms. I am further advised that, arising from a traffic collision in June 2012, the Traffic Corps vehicle allocated to Newcastle West has been withdrawn from service.
