Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans in place for the expansion of the Garda mountain bike unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51552/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

The resources provided by the Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion in 2021 and over €2 billion in Budget 2022, which includes €12 million for investment in the Garda fleet.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána recognise the need to be visible and accessible in communities but are also conscious of taking necessary actions to reduce their carbon footprint and, as such, An Garda Síochána intend to purchase an additional 100 mountain bikes and increased numbers of Electrical Vehicles as part of an overall fleet management strategy.

I am further informed that a needs analysis of each Division in respect of mountain bikes and associated equipment has been conducted. The deployment of the additional mountain bikes will be based on the results of the needs analysis survey. Any additional training will identified as necessary will be rolled out as part of any additional deployment of equipment.

An Garda Síochána is liaising with suppliers in advance of commencing a tender process to purchase additional mountain bikes. Enquiries have been carried out with a number of suppliers who have advised that there is currently a limited supply of the requisite mountain bikes. This matter is being monitored with a view to a tender issuing once sufficient quantities of bikes become available. 

I understand that there are currently 556 marked mountain bikes attached to the Garda Fleet.

The divisional breakdown of the 556 marked mountain bikes is as follows: