Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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278. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount An Garda Síochána spent on purchasing new Garda mountain bikes in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7944/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There has been unprecedented investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The budgetary allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 is €1.76 billion and very significant capital investment is also being made in Garda ICT, the Garda estate and the Garda fleet.

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for allocation of Garda resources, in light of his identified operational demands. As such and as the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the effective and efficient use of resources, including mountain bikes, are also a matter for the Commissioner. I understand that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that no new mountain bikes were purchased in 2017. I am further informed that a total of €33,173 was spent on new mountain bikes by An Garda Síochána in 2018 and that a total of €6,399 has been spent to date in 2019.