Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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441. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number or percentage of Garda vehicles in each Garda division within the Dublin region that are aged over 12 years as of 4 December 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43051/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration 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. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured 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 as at 9 December 2020 there were 663 vehicles assigned to the DMR of which 51 vehicles (7%) are over 12 years old.

For the Deputy's further information, the table below, as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number the number of Garda vehicles in the DMR that are over 12 years old at 9 December 2020.

I can inform the Deputy 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. 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.

Of this investment, a total of €9 million was made available for purchase and fit-out of additional Garda vehicles in 2020. I am also informed that in order to protect the ongoing availability of vehicles and in anticipation of the impact of public health restrictions on motor factory or fit-out workplaces, 94 additional vehicles were purchased by the Garda authorities in March 2020 at a cost of €2.4m and fit-out costs of €600,000. The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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442. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be provided for the purchase of additional unmarked vans for the Garda public order unit; the number of unmarked vans in the Garda public order unit within the fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43052/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. 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 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.

The purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources. The number and type of vehicles that will be purchased in 2021 has not yet been determined.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 5 November, there are a total of 29 vehicles categorised as public order vans deployed nationally across all Garda regions. There is currently one unmarked van fitted with capacity for 4-5 Garda members and two individual cells for transporting prisoners within the Garda fleet. There is a further unmarked van with a capacity for 5 members and 2 individual cells for transporting prisoners currently being fitted out and due for allocation before the end of 2020.

The allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis to ensure the best match with operational requirements.