Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 November 2019
118. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles attached to each district in County Wicklow as of 20 November 2019; the year, make and model of the vehicles; the equivalent figures as of 1 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49173/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion and this is due to increase further to an unprecedented €1.88 billion for 2020. The capital budget for An Garda Síochána has also been significantly increased - a total of €92 million was provided this year, representing a 50% increase on capital investment in 2018. And capital investment will increase further to €116.5 million in 2020.
I can confirm that an overall investment of €46 million has been agreed by Government between 2016 and 2021. €10 million was made available for the Garda fleet this year. A further €9million will be provided next year as part of an overall investment of €46 million in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021.
It is important to be clear that under Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána. He is responsible for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources, in light of operational demands. This includes responsibility for allocation of Garda vehicles. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, to ensure their optimum use.
The Deputy will appreciate that the size of the Garda fleet can fluctuate somewhat, as vehicles are added to and removed from the fleet.
I am further informed that the fleet in the Wicklow Division on 1 January 2019 included 61 vehicles. On 22 November it was 60. A breakdown of these vehicles for the Wicklow Division, as conveyed to me by the Garda authorities, is set out in the following tables.
Wicklow Division as of 1 January 2019
|
District |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4X4 |
Other |
|
Baltinglass |
10 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Bray |
19 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
13 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
Total |
42 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
Wicklow Division as of 22 November 2019
|
District |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4X4 |
Other |
|
Baltinglass |
10 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Bray |
19 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
|
Total |
41 |
11 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
I am informed that the current tender for the purchase of Garda vehicles through the Office of Government Procurement is for Hyundai, BMW and Ford vehicles.
I understand that this year's funding is being used for the purchase and fit-out of over 300 vehicles, of which 289 vehicles have been allocated to date. I understand that orders have been placed for a further 59 vehicles which will be allocated before the end of this year or in Quarter 1 2020. As a result, the Garda authorities consider that it is likely that the Garda fleet will be slightly larger at the end of the year compared to the total number of vehicles at the beginning of the year.
Further, my intention is that a further €1 million funding for the fleet will be included in additional funding to be provided to the Garda Vote before the end of the year.
I am assured that the allocation of Garda vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis.
Finally, the Deputy may be interested to know that the Garda authorities are developing a Fleet Strategy, which I expect to set out detail on matters including, for example, the optimum size and composition of the fleet. I expect that the new Governance function in my Department will engage with An Garda Síochána, in that regard, as the process continues.
