Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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328. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide funding for the purchase of extra unmarked Garda cars and extra marked Garda vans for the Garda Traffic Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39514/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources in the State, including vehicles to the Garda Traffic Corps, in light of identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in the Garda Fleet in recent years with some €46 million being invested over the lifetime of the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021 to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of some €30 million between 2013 and 2015.

In the period 2013 to end of 2017, almost €44 million will have been invested in the Garda fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Traffic Corps currently comprises 281 vehicles, including 18 vehicles that were allocated to the Corps in 2017. I understand that a further 19 vehicles are scheduled to be allocated to the Corps following delivery and fit out.