Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
577. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of new unmarked Garda vans attached to the fleet in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the number of unmarked vans withdrawn from the fleet during same period. [59073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which I am informed that €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use in light of identified operational needs and emerging crime trends.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 28 October 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 3,297 vehicles attached to the Garda feet which includes 514 vans. This represents an increase of almost 2% since the end of December 2021 when there were 3,240 vehicles assigned to the Garda fleet nationwide.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of unmarked Garda vans allocated to and removed from the Garda fleet in 2021 and 2022.
|
Unmarked Garda Vans |
2021 |
As at 23 November 2022 |
|
ALLOCATED |
37 |
20 |
|
REMOVED |
4 |
5 |
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html
