Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 June 2014
144. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles available at a Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin 5 at the weekends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23639/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources.
Responsibility for the efficient deployment of 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. As a consequence it is not fully practicable to provide a breakdown of Garda vehicles by individual station.
In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that as at 28 May 2014 there were 27 vehicles allocated to the Coolock District.
As the Deputy will be aware, a further €9m was secured towards the end of 2013 for investment in the Garda fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 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 transport in 2014.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that these new vehicles are currently being allocated across Garda Divisions in accordance with operational requirements throughout the country, including the DMR North Division, which includes the Coolock District.
