Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the lack of enforcement being undertaken by An Garda Síochána to prevent private vehicles using bus lanes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42461/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. I am pleased to have secured an overall increase of €122 million in Budget 2020 which will increase An Garda Síochána’s budget to an unprecedented €1.882 billion for next year. 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 Garda Commissioner has responsibility for managing An Garda Síochána including the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand 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.

In relation to the matter of enforcement regarding the issue of private vehicles using bus lanes in Dublin, the Commissioner has provided me with a report on the matter and indicates that the following table sets out the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Jan-Sept) within the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

As the Deputy will appreciate, this data indicates a significant increase in the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued in respect of these matters in 2018 when compared with 2017. Levels of Fixed Charge Notices issued to date in 2019 appear generally consistent with the level seen in 2018.