Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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216. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of four-wheel drive or all terrain Garda vehicles allocated to Kildare Garda division as of 31 December 2018 and 2 July 2019. [30165/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that a total of €10 million has been made available for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2019. I understand from the Garda authorities that this allocation will be used for purchase and fit-out of over 300 new vehicles for operational use this year.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured, 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 Garda authorities have informed me that the following table sets out the number of 4-wheel drive vehicles and all terrain vehicles allocated to Kildare Garda Division for the dates requested by the Deputy.

*The category 'others' generally refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles.