Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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202. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles allocated to each Garda station in the Garda R and J districts in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11943/19]

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

In relation to Garda vehicles, €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 of 2013 to 2015.  A further €10 million is being made available in the Transport Capital Budget for the purchase and fit-out of vehicles. I am informed that initial orders have been placed and that, following delivery and fit-out, the allocation of vehicles will commence in April 2019.

The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda resources, including vehicles among the various Garda divisions.  As Minister, I have no 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.

The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles within each Division lies with the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that Coolock (R District) & Raheny  (J District) Garda Districts are part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the vehicles newly allocated to Garda fleet within DMR North for the years 2015-2018.

I am further informed that the total number of vehicles in the Garda fleet in DMR North Division at end of year in each of the years 2015-2018 and to date in 2019 are as set out in the following table.

As set out above, J and R Districts are both among the Garda Districts which make up the DMR North Division.  I am informed that the following table details the Garda Fleet in J and R Districts for the years 2015 – 2018 and to date in 2019.  Information on the fleet assigned to individual stations is not included, for operational reasons.