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Garda Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Ceisteanna (302)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

302. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided to purchase extra Garda public order unit vans; and if so, when those vans will come into the fleet in addition to the 15 new Garda public order unit vans that came into the fleet in 2019 and 2020. [13146/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda 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, to ensure their optimum use.

Significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. 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.

Of this investment, a total of €9 million was made available for purchase and fit-out of additional Garda vehicles in 2020. I am also informed that in order to protect the ongoing availability of vehicles and in anticipation of the impact of public health restrictions on motor factory or fit-out workplaces, 94 additional vehicles were purchased by the Garda authorities in March 2020 at a cost of €2.4m and fit-out costs of €600,000. The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 May 2020, there were 2,928 vehicles attached to the Garda Fleet, including vehicles attached to the national units.

I understand that as of May 2020, a total of 29 vehicles categorised as public order vans were deployed nationally across all Garda regions and that 15 public order vans were added to the fleet in the second half of 2019.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no plans to purchase additional public order vans this year and that the operational need for all vehicle types will be considered in the context of the 2021 budgetary process.

Finally and for clarity, it may be noted that the total fleet figure included above does not include the additional 210 vehicles which have been hired by An Garda Síochána this year, to provide additional capacity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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