As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the position of the Garda fleet on 28 February 2018 was as follows:
Cars
|
Vans
|
Motorcycles
|
4 X 4
|
Other
|
Total
|
1949
|
456
|
125
|
104
|
116
|
2750
|
I am further informed that during the recent inclement weather, An Garda Síochána leased some vehicles to supplement the fleet.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.
In the period 2013 to end of 2017, a total of almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet, with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.