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. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
However, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that nine large vans have been commissioned by An Garda Síochána for the Garda fleet for use in Public Order situations since 2016 - 5 in 2016, 4 in 2017, and none to date in 2018.
In addition, 54 medium-wheel-base twin-cell vans were commissioned in 2016.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46million for investment in the Garda Fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet and 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, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.