Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 February 2013
183. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to provide a Garda vehicle to stations (details supplied); when each station last had a vehicle without having to rely on a district car; the number of personnel appointed to each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10795/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions in relation to the deployment of both Garda personnel and Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational requirements.
Responsibility for the efficient deployment of official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. The Deputy will appreciate that a degree of flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is essential to the efficient management of the Garda fleet.
I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that at this stage one of the stations he has referred to has been closed. In addition, I am advised by the Garda authorities that an official vehicle has not been allocated to the two other stations since 2012. However, I also understand that the personnel attached to those stations have access to and utilise transport based at other stations. Moreover, the Garda authorities have confirmed that a comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the relevant communities.
Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all policing resources and operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure that the optimum use is made of available resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. In addition, the Garda authorities have informed me that the current policing arrangements for the Galway Division make the best use of available resources. Moreover, the Garda authorities have indicated that the needs of the Division will continue to be examined as additional resources become available.
In that context, the Deputy will be aware that I made an additional €3 million available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure an additional 171 vehicles, bringing the total number of vehicles procured in 2012 to 213. The roll out of these vehicles to Garda Divisions throughout the country is ongoing and, in that context, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that 30 of the vehicles are being allocated to the Garda Western Region which includes the Galway Division. These vehicles are being deployed in line with operational requirements.
A further allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service.
