Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions no. 217 to 228 on 20 April 2016 providing detailed information in relation to the number of vehicles available to members of An Garda Síochána in Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Tuam Garda districts in Galway.

As the Deputy will appreciate 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 and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

Since 2012, some €34 million has been invested in the Garda fleet, with over 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015. This significant investment provides the Gardaí with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles for high-visibility road policing. Investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles, ensuring that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis and vehicles are allocated between districts as required by operational circumstances including, for example, when vehicles are required in other districts to substitute for vehicles under repair.