Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2019
230. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars and vans attached to Garda R and J districts as of 1 January 2019 and 28 October 2019, in tabular form. [46149/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. He is also responsible for the efficient use of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use.
The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles within each Division lies with the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Coolock (R District) & Raheny (J District) Garda Districts are part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the number and type of Garda vehicles assigned to the DMR R and J Districts as of 31 October 2019.
|
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
Others |
Total |
|
COOLOCK-R |
22 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
|
RAHENY-J |
18 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
I am further informed that the following table sets out the number of Garda cars and vans attached to the DMR R and J Districts as on 1 January 2019.
|
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
Others |
Total |
|
COOLOCK-R |
21 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
Finally, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion, increasing to an unprecedented €1.88 billion for 2020.
Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. I understand from the Garda authorities that this year's capital allocation of €10million for the Garda fleet is being used for purchase and fit-out of over 300 new vehicles for operational use this year. A further €9 million capital funding has been allocated for the Garda fleet in Budget 2020.
This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
