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.
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 total, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet in the period 2013 to end of 2017, with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the vehicles listed in the following table have been allocated to date in 2018:
-
|
CARS
|
VANS
|
4 X 4
|
OTHERS
|
TOTAL
|
TOTAL
|
32
|
10
|
15
|
3
|
60
|
DMR
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
DMR North Central
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
EASTERN REGION
|
3
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
7
|
Kildare
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Meath
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Westmeath
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
Wicklow
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
H.R.M.
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
NORTHERN REGION
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
Cavan-Monaghan
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
Donegal
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
NATIONAL UNITS
|
22
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
25
|
SOUTH EASTERN REGION
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
7
|
Kilkenny/Carlow
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Tipperary
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
Waterford
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Wexford
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
SOUTHERN REGION
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
7
|
Cork North
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Cork West
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Kerry
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
Limerick
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
WESTERN REGION
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
Clare
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Galway
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
I am further informed that in addition to the vehicles included in the table, there are a number of vehicles which were purchased in 2017 which are currently being fitted out and are due to be allocated shortly. These vehicles include twenty vans, five 4x4s, and twelve motorcycles.
Garda authorities have indicated the purchase plan for 2018 is intended to provide some 260 vehicles. 42 of these are encompassed in the 60 vehicles allocated to date this year and listed in the table.
The allocation of the additional vehicles will be decided upon by the Garda authorities having regard to operational needs following delivery and fit out.