Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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678. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide funding for the purchase of replacement Garda prison trucks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34592/14]

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.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the replacement of Garda vehicles is reviewed on an ongoing basis in the context of operational priorities and available funding. There are currently no plans to purchase trucks for prisoner conveyance.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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679. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide funding for the purchase of additional marked Garda vans; the number of new vans that came into service in 2013 and the number that were withdrawn from the fleet in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34593/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that during 2013 83 Garda vans were allocated to the Garda fleet and 29 Garda vans were withdrawn from the fleet. I am also advised that there are currently no plans to purchase marked Garda vans in 2014.

As the Deputy will be aware, 438 new Garda vehicles were purchased in 2013 at a cost of €10 million. In addition, €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit out of Garda transport in 2014.

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.