Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

31. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána cars in the Galway division; the future plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13352/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. 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. The Deputy will appreciate that a degree of flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is essential to the efficient management of the Garda fleet.

In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 27 March, 2015 there were a total of 81 vehicles assigned to the Galway Division.

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 in 2014. This funding brings the total investment in the Garda fleet in 2014 to €11 million. The remaining €3 million is being made available for the purchase and fit out of additional Garda vehicles in 2015.

In October, 2014, an order was placed for 370 new vehicles. These vehicles were delivered towards the end of 2014, and following fit out, are being allocated in accordance with the Garda Commissioner's operational requirements.

In that context, I am advised that, to date, 6 new vehicles have been allocated to the Galway Division with a further 11 due to be allocated in due course, following fit out.