Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome what the Deputy has said about the investment. We will continue to invest in the Garda fleet to allow the Garda Commissioner to ensure he has the best possible tools available to him. Some 53% of the Garda fleet is less than four years old, whereas 12% of the fleet is less than one year old. I take the point the Deputy makes about the mileage or number of kilometres done by Garda vehicles. That is an issue I have discussed with the Garda Commissioner. It is important the Garda ensures its fleet is up to the highest standard.

The object of the exercise, in terms of Government policy and also in terms of the ambition of the Garda Commissioner and his team, is that by 2021 we will have a Garda service of 21,000 personnel. That will comprise 15,000 sworn members, of which we have just over 14,000 now, 4,000 Garda staff and 2,000 Garda reservists. The Garda staff is extremely important in the context of the overall composition of An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner is recruiting specialists in many areas, for example, in human resources, bookkeeping and accountancy, and IT. An important theme throughout the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is ensuring that a level of expertise is available to the Garda Síochána that oftentimes involves more than just the involvement of sworn members of the Garda. There are currently just under 3,000 full-time Garda staff undertaking administrative and technical duties, which accounts for up to 15% of the Garda service. Progress is continuing to be made on the matter of civilianisation. Since 2018, over 500 gardaí have been deployed from what might be regarded as desk, administrative or office duties to front-line policing duties. Members of this committee will be very much aware of what the people want. Citizens feel most assured by the availability and visibility of members of the Garda Síochána. That is what the Commissioner and his team are really keen to ensure.