Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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609. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that all rural areas have a reliable patrol car attached to the station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32801/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources.Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda vehicles at District, Divisional and Regional level is subject to ongoing monitoring and review to ensure that the optimum use is made of available resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

In that context, the Deputy will be aware that there has been a very significant investment in the Garda fleet in the period 2012 to 2014, amounting to €18 million. 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.