Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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332. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda public order vans allocated to each Garda division in Dublin as of 1 January 2018 and 15 October 2018; if the additional 15 Garda public order vans due to be purchased in 2018 have come into the fleet; if not, when they will come into the fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43756/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. 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, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In total in the period 2013 - 2017, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

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 Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter. 

I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between districts and stations as required by operational requirements.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the public order vehicles within the Garda fleet assigned to Dublin Metropolitan Region, correct as at 18 October 2018.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there has been no allocation of public order vehicles in 2018 to date.  I am however advised that orders have been placed for 15 large vans for Public Order Units and that delivery of these vehicles, following fit-out for use by An Garda Síochána, is now expected in Q1 2019 with allocation to commence towards the end of that quarter.