Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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252. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans that were allocated to the Kerry Garda division in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and the number of marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans that were withdrawn from the division during the same period. [29231/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the distribution of Garda funding and resources, including allocation of Garda vehicles, among the various Garda divisions. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. I understand that Garda management keeps this 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.

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. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

I understand from the Garda authorities that the Southern Region is to be allocated 30 Garda vehicles in 2018, with 5 of these vehicles intended to be allocated to the Kerry Division. The allocation of vehicles within a division is a matter for the Divisional officer.

As of 19 June 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 38 cars (26 marked and 12 unmarked) and 13 vans assigned to the Kerry Garda Division.

The number of marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans that were allocated to and withdrawn from the Kerry Garda Division in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 are outlined in the following tables.

Allocated (as at 29 June 2018)

Removed (as at 29 June 2018)