Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles based in Malahide, Balbriggan, Swords and Skerries in each year since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10846/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. 

A total of €46 million has been provided by the Government for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.  This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. And I am pleased to confirm that a capital allocation of €10 million is available to An Garda Síochána for the purchase of Garda vehicles in 2019. 

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions.  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 that their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Skerries and Balbriggan Garda Stations are in Balbriggan District. Swords and Malahide Garda Stations are in Coolock District. I am further informed that both Balbriggan and Coolock Districts are part of DMR North Division.

For the Deputy's information, the following table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of vehicles allocated to the various Garda Districts within DMR North from 2011 to date.