Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional vehicles being purchased for An Garda Síochána will be marked or unmarked vehicles; the proportion of each; if additional vans will be purchased; when he expects An Garda Síochána to receive the additional vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8215/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that 40 new Garda vehicles will be rolled out in the coming weeks, all of which will be marked Garda cars. I am also informed that the number and category of further Garda cars to be purchased will be determined following the successful completion of a procurement process which is currently under way. The provision of new cars will be undertaken in the light of An Garda Síochána's operational requirements and the availability of financial resources.

The Garda authorities have further advised that the National Procurement Service will shortly advertise a tender for the procurement of vans. An Garda Síochána's requirement for vans will be addressed in that overall context.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the tender for the contract of towing away seized vehicles in the Dublin north division was last awarded; the cost of same; the name of the company that was awarded the contract; the length of the contract; the average cost of hiring out the recovery truck; if the price increases or decreases depending on the time of day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8216/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the contract for the towing of seized vehicles in the Dublin North Division was awarded to Gannon City Recovery and Recycling Services Ltd in 2009 for a period of three years. Under the contract costs associated with the use of recovery trucks are fixed irrespective of the time of a call out.

I am further advised that the relevant cost of towing vehicles in 2011 amounted to €255,285.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the Garda air support unit of purchasing an additional helicopter or aircraft; the cost per hour of having either the helicopter or aircraft airborne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8217/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the cost of purchasing new aircraft for the Garda Air Support Unit can only be established in the context of an open procurement process. In the circumstances it is not possible to indicate such costs to the Deputy.

I am further advised that the flying costs for all Garda aircraft are borne by the Air Corps and, accordingly, they are not charged to the Garda Vote. I have requested details in relation to flying costs associated with the Garda Air Support Unit and I will forward these to the Deputy when they are to hand.