Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects to be in a position to enhance the transport fleet of An Garda Síochána throughout County Kildare and the country in general, with particular reference to meeting the requirements as set out by the Garda Síochána authorities in the respective divisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17608/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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.

The Deputy will be aware that, in recent times, the Government has made considerable funding available to provide An Garda Síochána with additional high-powered vehicles, patrol cars (marked and unmarked) and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community.

In summary, over €34 million has been invested in the fleet since 2012, with over 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015, and a further €46 million is being provided under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 20 June, the strength of the Garda Fleet is 2,738 vehicles. In addition, 253 new Garda vehicles have been allocated nationally in 2016. This information is set out as follows:

Garda Fleet Strength as at 20 June 2016

National Allocation of new Garda Vehicles - 2016

The following tables provide an overview in relation to the strength of the Kildare Division Fleet as of 20 June, which is the latest date for which such information is available, and the number of new vehicles assigned to that Division so far this year. I informed 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.

At present there are 51 vehicles assigned to the Kildare Division with 7 new vehicles being assigned in 2016. The Kildare Division forms part of the Eastern Garda Region and I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of additional vehicles are due to be allocated to Eastern Region following delivery and fit out. It will be a matter for the Assistant Commissioner, Eastern Region to allocate these vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances.

Kildare Division Fleet Strength, as of 20 June 2016

New vehicle allocation to Kildare Division - 2016