Written answers

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Transport Data

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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103. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of vehicles in the current Garda vehicle fleet; the current arrangements governing the use of Garda vehicles, including the upper acceptable mileage and upper acceptable age for use as Garda vehicles; the number of vehicles which are nearing these upper limits currently in use; her plans to purchase new vehicles in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31610/16]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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108. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the process by which it is determined the divisions to which vehicles will be assigned in view of the recent announcement that extra vehicles will be provided to An Garda Síochána; the way the differences in resource levels around the country will be addressed going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31618/16]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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109. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda cars which will be deployed; the locations at which said cars will be deployed; if she has determined the allocation of new cars based on need; the number of cars that have been retired in 2016; if there will be similar commitments in terms of new Garda cars in 2016 and 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31624/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 108 and 109 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, including the Garda fleet, and I, as Minister, have no role in this matter.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis, and vehicles are allocated between stations by divisional officers, as required by varying operational circumstances. I am further advised that the strength of the Garda Fleet, as at 21 October, is as follows:

CarsVansM'Cycles4x4OtherTotal
2,013461142130832,829

I understand that Garda vehicles are retired for a variety of reasons including, for example, where they are considered beyond economic repair as a result of accidents and on safety grounds or in line with manufacturers' recommendations. Generally speaking, vehicles are retired when they reach 300,000 kilometres or 10 years of age, whichever is earlier. Also, I understand from the Garda authorities that the relevant manufacturers have indicated that, for safety reasons, vehicles should be withdrawn from service at certain stages. Accordingly, this is the operational policy that is applied by the Garda authorities. To date in 2016, 279 Garda vehicles have been retired.

The Deputy will appreciate that these retirements are a natural occurrence in maintaining any vehicle fleet, and are offset by the significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021, of which the Deputy will be aware. This investment will continue to provide the Gardaí with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. Indeed, since the beginning of the year, some 520 new vehicles have come on stream for use by An Garda Síochána.

This investment is also reflected in the current age profile of the Fleet. For example, some 38% of the fleet is under 2 years old compared to some 5% in 2012. Some 24% is between 2 and 4 years old compared to some 6% in 2012. The Deputy will appreciate this is a noticeable difference to the age profile in 2012 where almost 90% of the Fleet was over 4 or more years of age compared to some 38% today.

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