Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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508. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of four-wheel drive Garda vehicles attached to each Garda division in Dublin as of 22 February 2019; and the number as of 31 December 2017. [13261/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that there has been an unprecedented level of 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.

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 the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Furthermore, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of 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 their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the number of four wheel drive Garda vehicles attached to each Garda Division in the Dublin Metropolitan Region for the dates requested by the Deputy.