Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to difficulties being experienced by the Garda authorities in 2016 in responding to local residents in the Tallaght and Rathfarnham areas due to the non-availability of a car or no garda being available to respond to phone call requests in both Tallaght and Rathfarnham garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41376/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

The area mentioned by the Deputy is patrolled by members assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Division. I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 30 November 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 537 Gardaí. Of these, 239 members were assigned to the Tallaght District which takes in Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda Stations. Tallaght District is also supported by 8 Garda Reserves and 13 civilians.

Details regarding Garda vehicles attached to DMR South from 31 December 2016, the latest for which figures are readily available, are included in the table below.

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.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides a significant investment of some €46million in the Garda Fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. Over 520 new vehicles were purchased and allocated for use in 2016 alone. In addition, some 200 vehicles were purchased for allocation and use in 2017. This will be supplemented by funding of some €4 million which is available for new vehicles in 2017.

The investment in the Garda fleet will continue to provide An Garda Síochána 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.