Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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555. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional Garda cars and vans attached to Kilkenny and Carlow Division in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number of Garda cars and vans withdrawn from this division during the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57703/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use in light of identified operational needs and emerging crime trends.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which I am informed that €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 28 October 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 3,297 vehicles attached to the Garda feet. This represents an increase of almost 2% since the end of December 2021 when there were 3,240 vehicles assigned to the Garda fleet nationwide.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of cars and vans allocated to and removed from the Garda fleet in the Kilkenny/Carlow Division at 31December 2021 and at 17 November 2022.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html