Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1020. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all Garda members within roads policing units are fully trained in reading tachographs within HGV vehicles. [18048/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that all personnel attached to Garda Roads Policing Units receive basic training in the reading of analogue tachograph charts and there are a substantial number of offences that may be detected from the examination of same relating to the use of tachographs.

In addition, I am advised that dedicated personnel within these units have received additional training in respect of the examination and analysis of digital tachographs. I am also advised that each Divisional Roads Policing Unit has been provided with specialised equipment to allow for the downloading of data from digital tachographs and to aid in the identification of tachograph related offences. Any such member may give evidence in relation to driver hours and rest periods, however, if a more detailed analysis of tachograph charts / digital tachographs is required, regarding journeys, speed etc., this is carried out by personnel attached to the Forensic Science Laboratory.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána, with the assistance of the Road Safety Authority, provide ongoing training to all Roads Policing members in relation to the examination of HGV’s. This training is incorporated in the induction seminar provided to all new members of Roads Policing Units and also forms part of the instruction provided at the annual seminar provided to all roads policing members.

While the restrictions imposed by COVID have restricted the ability to conduct these seminars, I understand they will be recommenced as soon as restrictions permit.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1021. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked Garda vans that came into the fleet in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; and the number of marked vans withdrawn from the fleet during the same period. [18049/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The 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 €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

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 role in such matters.

I am however 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 table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out  the number of marked Garda vans allocated to and removed from the Garda Fleet in 2022 and in 2023 up to 31 March. 

I am also advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 March 2023, the latest date for which figure are available, there were 3,381 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.

This represents an increase of 2% since end December 2022, when there were 3,312 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.

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 

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1022. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of young people who have entered Garda diversion programmes from 2019 to date; where these programmes are in operation; if follow up data is collected on those leaving the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18052/23]