Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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548. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional unmarked Garda vehicles that came into the fleet in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of unmarked vehicles that were withdrawn during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25663/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

I understand that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the tables below outline the numbers of unmarked vehicles allocated to and removed from the Garda fleet over the periods requested by the Deputy.

Unmarked vehicles allocated to the Garda fleet

Unmarked vehicles removed from the Garda fleet