Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars that will be taken off the road this year under the 300,000 km rule; the number of new cars that will come on-road; if he will provide a breakdown of the affected cars by Garda District. [36852/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Decisions in relation to the provision and deployment of Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda vehicles are retired for a variety of reasons, including where vehicles are considered beyond economic repair, as a result of accidents and, on safety grounds, where patrol vehicles have reached an odometer reading of 300,000 kilometres. Based on current usage, it is estimated that 213 vehicles may be retired from the fleet by the end of the year. Due to the fact that Garda cars are re-allocated between Districts on an on-going basis, in the light of operational requirements, a breakdown by Garda District is not available.

I am further informed that, following a tender process organised by the National Procurement Service, a new contract has been put in place to allow for the provision of Garda cars. This is a matter which will be pursued by the Garda authorities with reference to their requirements and the availability of financial resources.