Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
345. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda dog unit in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of vehicles withdrawn from the dog unit during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37835/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that there 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, including Garda Dog Units 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 direct 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 the following table outlines the number of Garda vehicles assigned to the Garda Dog Unit as at 31 December 2016, 31 December 2017 and to date in 2018.
|
|
Cars |
|
Vans |
|
4 x 4 |
|
Total |
|||
|
|
Marked |
Unmarked |
Total |
Marked |
Unmarked |
Total |
Marked |
Unmarked |
Total |
|
|
2016 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
11 |
|
2017 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
12 |
|
2018 (to date) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
12 |
I understand these total vehicle numbers reflect the position after any relevant withdrawals of vehicles from the Unit. In that regard, Garda authorities indicate that 1 vehicle was withdrawn in 2016, 2 were withdrawn in 2017 and 1 has been withdrawn to date in 2018.
