Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
845. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the Garda Dublin metropolitan region north division public order vans based out of Ballymun Garda station to be available to deal with incidents on a 24-7 basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33529/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. 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. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no role in that matter.
I understand that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between districts and stations as required by operational requirements.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 19 July 2018, there are five Public Order vans allocated to the DMR North Division, headquartered in Ballymun. The operational use of the vehicles in question is of course a matter for An Garda Síochána.
More generally, I am informed by the Garda authorities that orders have been placed for an additional 15 large vans to be fitted-out for use as Garda Public Order Units. Delivery of the vehicles is expected in late 2018, with fit-out thereafter. The allocation and deployment of these additional vehicles across the various Garda Divisions will be a matter for the Commissioner.
