Written answers
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Department of Justice and Equality
Garda Data
Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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374. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number and percentage of the Garda fleet of vehicles within the Clare division that are less than one, one to three, four to six, six to ten and more than ten years' old, in tabular form. [8147/20]
Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for allocation of Garda vehicles, in accordance with operational demand. As Minister, I have no role in that matter. 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 Garda authorities that as of 21 May 2020 there were 53 vehicles assigned to the Clare Division. The following table, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the age of the Clare Divisional fleet, including the percentage of vehicles in each age bracket.
| Clare Divisional Fleet Age of Vehicle | Number of Vehicles | % of Divisional Vehicles (rounded) |
|---|---|---|
| < 1 Year | 6 | 11.3 |
| 1 to 3 Years | 19 | 35.9 |
| 4 to 6 Years | 13 | 24.5 |
| 6 to 10 Years | 13 | 24.5 |
| Over 10 years | 2 | 3.8 |
| Total | 53 | 100 |
The Deputy may also be interested to know that significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. Of this investment, a total of €9 million has been made available for purchase and fit-out of additional Garda vehicles in 2020.
The number and type of vehicles to be purchased with this allocation as well as the Divisions to which those new vehicles will be assigned are entirely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. However 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.
It may also be of interest to the Deputy to know that, in order to protect the ongoing availability of vehicles and in anticipation of impacts of public health restrictions on motor factory or fit-out workplaces in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, 94 additional vehicles were purchased by the Garda authorities in March 2020 at a cost of €2.4million and associated fit-out costs of €600,000. I am further advised that 210 hired vehicles have been allocated nationwide at this time, at a monthly hire cost €45,545, excluding fuel and other costs.
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