Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the 171 Garda vehicles purchased in 2012 are going to be rolled out to Garda districts by the Garda Commissioner and breakdown of districts to receive these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17638/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational demands and in the light of available resources. 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. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the roll out of the most recently purchased patrol vehicles has been completed. Details of the allocation of all 171 vehicles by Region are outlined in the table below. A more detailed breakdown is not currently available. However, the Deputy can be assured that the vehicles have been deployed in the most effective manner to meet existing operational requirements.

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.