Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the availability of extra Garda patrolling hours with reference to the patrol car attrition rate; the number of extra patrolling hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17508/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources throughout the Garda organisation. The allocation of Garda personnel is determined through a process of ongoing analysis of existing and emerging crime trends and other policing demands, at both District and Divisional level. This process enables Garda management to continually develop and refine their operational response, including appropriate patrolling regimes, to ensure that optimum use is made of available Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The deployment of Garda vehicles is, equally, a matter for the Commissioner. In turn, at Garda Divisional level, the allocation of Garda vehicles is undertaken by the Chief Superintendent who may make and revise arrangements for the deployment of vehicles throughout the Division in response to policing demands. This flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is essential to the efficient management of the Garda fleet.

The Deputy will be aware that I made an additional €3 million available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year enabling the Commissioner to procure a further 171 Garda vehicles. This brought total investment in the Garda fleet in 2012 to €4 million and resulted in a total of 213 new vehicles being procured during the year. In addition, a further allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the roll out of the most recently purchased vehicles has been completed and they are satisfied that the current patrolling arrangements in place meet their operational policing requirements.