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 and a further increase to an unprecedented €1.882 billion in 2020. 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 enforcement in the case of private vehicles using bus lanes, I have asked An Garda Síochána to provide detail on the national figures. However the Deputy may be particularly interested in data relating to the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Jan-Sept) within the DMR:

Note: All figures provided are provisional, operational and subject to change.

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.