Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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291. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a Garda station (details supplied) has one Garda car; and if same will be reviewed in view of the fact that it is having a negative impact on tackling crime. [5646/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. In relation to Garda vehicles, the Deputy will wish to be aware that €46 million has been provided by the Government for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet allowing Gardaí to be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the Garda fleet in the period 2013 to 2015. I am pleased to confirm that a capital investment of €10 million is available to An Garda Síochána for the purchase of Garda vehicles in 2019.

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. This includes responsibility for the distribution of Garda funding and resources, including allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.

The Deputy referred to the strength of the Garda Fleet in the Ballymun Garda District. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 3 marked patrol cars, 1 marked patrol van and 8 unmarked patrol cars allocated to Ballymun Garda District.

I understand that those vehicles which are available for patrol duties in the Ballymun Garda District are further supplemented by other Divisional Units operating and deployed within the DMR North Division, including vehicles allocated to the DMR North Roads Policing Unit and the Divisional Burglary Response Unit, as well as patrols and duties performed within the DMR North Division by personnel from National Units such as the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, the DMR Armed Support Unit and other Special Tactics and Operations Command Units (STOC).

Finally, 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 their optimum use.