Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015
120. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations in the Galway Division which do not have a Garda car allocated to them; the number that do not have full access to a car; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13735/15]
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 the number of vehicles deployed to Garda stations within each Garda District and Division is subject to ongoing change in response to An Garda Síochána's operational requirements. Accordingly it is not fully practicable to provide a breakdown of Garda vehicles by each individual Garda station.
However, the number of Garda vehicles assigned to each District in the Galway Division as at 31/03/15 is outlined in the table below:
|
DISTRICT |
NUMBER OF CARS |
|
Ballinasloe District |
6 |
|
Clifden District |
3 |
|
Galway District |
42 |
|
Loughrea District |
8 |
|
Salthill District |
11 |
|
Tuam District |
11 |
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet of which €7 million was made available towards the end of last year, bringing total investment in the Garda fleet to €11 million in 2014. The remaining €3 million is being made available for the purchase and fit out of additional Garda vehicles during 2015.
In October, 2014, an order was placed for 370 new vehicles. These vehicles were delivered towards the end of 2014, and following fit out, are being allocated in accordance with the Garda Commissioner's operational requirements.
In that context, I am advised that, to date, 6 new vehicles have been allocated to the Galway Division with a further 11 due to be allocated in due course, following fit out.
