Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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419. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles that have been rolled out nationally; the number allocated to the Tipperary Garda Division, if he will identify the Garda stations in the Tipperary Division that received patrol cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19730/13]

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. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of all Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances.

The Deputy will be aware that an additional €3 million was made available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure a further 171 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 vehicles allocated to the Garda Districts within the Tipperary Division in 2012 are outlined in the table below. A more detailed breakdown is not currently available.

In addition to the investment provided in 2012, a specific allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in the current year. 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 deliver an effective and efficient policing service.