Written answers
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Department of Justice and Equality
Garda Transport Data
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars operational in each Garda district area within the Cork city division; the corresponding data in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37048/19]
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.
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. In addition, 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 to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table outline the number of vehicles allocated to the Cork Garda Divisions, by District, as at 31 August, 2019.
| To end August 2019 | Cars | Vans | Motorcycles | 4x4 | *Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORK CITY | 86 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 121 |
| Angelsea Street | 57 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 79 |
| Gurranabraher | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Mayfield | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16 |
| Togher | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| CORK NORTH | 36 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| Fermoy | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Mallow | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Midleton | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| CORK WEST | 42 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 58 |
| Bandon | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
| Bantry | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Clonakilty | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Macroom | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
I am further informed that the following table sets out the Garda fleet in the Cork Divisions as at 31 December 2019.
| To end December 2018 | Cars | Van | Motorcycles | 4x4 | *Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORK CITY | 91 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 130 |
| CORK NORTH | 40 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 57 |
| CORK WEST | 44 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 61 |
* The category 'other' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles.
I should point out, however, that a total of €10 million has been made available to An Garda Síochána for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2019. I understand from Garda management that this allocation is being used for the purchase and fit-out of over 300 for operational use in An Garda Síochána. The allocation of these new vehicles across the Garda Divisions is for Garda management and not for me as Minister.
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