The operation of the Garda fleet is undertaken by the Garda authorities and they have informed me that specific records are not maintained in relation to the number of Garda vehicles that are out of service on a particular date. For maintenance and other purposes vehicles are temporarily withdrawn from service on an ongoing basis throughout the country. The Garda authorities have provided details in respect of Garda transport on the dates mentioned by the Deputy and they are outlined in the following table:
|
-
|
Patrol Cars/Vans
|
Other vehicles
|
Total
|
|
31 January 2014
|
2054
|
336
|
2390
|
|
31 January 2011
|
2301
|
436
|
2737
|
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9m for investment in the Garda fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles towards the end of 2013, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 new Garda vehicles which had already been procured during the year. The remaining €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2014. I am advised that the new vehicles are currently being allocated, following fit out, in accordance with the Commissioner's operational requirements.
The most recent investment will bring to €18m the total amount spent on the Garda fleet for the three years 2012 to 2014. 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 deliver an effective and efficient policing service.
