Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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377. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide additional resources, personnel and vehicles to the Garda Síochána station in Tallaght, Dublin 24; her views on the need for such developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33132/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of the 31 July 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 173 members of An Garda Síochána attached to Tallaght Garda Station. These Gardaí are supported by 9 Garda Reserve members and 10 civilians. The work of local Gardaí in Tallaght is augmented when necessary by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Organised criminal activity is currently being targeted by An Garda Síochána across a number of fronts, including through the use of focused intelligence-led operations by specialist units such as the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit and CAB.

In addition, €700,000 has been allocated for new specialised vehicles to support Gardaí in responding to current and emerging crime threats, including burglaries committed by highly-mobile gangs. In fact this Government has invested nearly €29 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012, with 370 new vehicles coming on stream so far this year. I expect that the Capital Expenditure Programme 2016-2021 which will be announced later today will make provision for further substantial investment in Garda resources.

I have requested from the Garda Commissioner the number of Garda vehicles attached to Tallaght Garda District and will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.