Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concern of members of An Garda Síochána in County Donegal regarding the lack of public order vehicles; her plans to increase the number of Garda public order vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9755/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, 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 light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational circumstances.

In that context, I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there are currently eleven Garda vans, three of which are public order vehicles, allocated to the Donegal Division. I am further informed that in late 2014, An Garda Síochána took delivery of 25 new vans. Four of these new vans, two of which are public order vehicles, have been allocated to the Northern region. These vehicles will be deployed in line with operational requirements following fit-out.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet of which €7 million was made available towards the end of last year, bringing total investment in the Garda fleet to €11 million in 2014 . The remaining €3 million is being made available for the purchase and fit out of additional Garda vehicles during 2015.