Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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528. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available this year for the replacement of Garda prisoner transport trucks and the current ages of those trucks that are currently in use. [9597/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.

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, including Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

At the end of January 2025, there were 3,628 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 16% since the end of December 2020.

An Garda Síochána is provided with capital funding under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 for continued investment in the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. These funds are utilised in accordance with identified operational demands which are prioritised in accordance with the multi annual sums provided. The purchase of additional Garda prisoner transport trucks is not planned for 2025.

There are currently a total of 11 Prisoner Transport vehicles including, prisoner transport trucks, vans and minibuses attached to the Garda fleet.

The tables below set out the number of prisoner transport trucks on the Garda fleet by age as of 31 January 2025

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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529. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Operation Táirge and the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation to date. [9599/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

Operation Táirge was launched in December 2023 by Assistant Commissioner, Roads Policing & Community Engagement.

The operation's aim is supporting operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing organised retail crime. As the operation takes an organisational approach to the issue of organised retail crime, I am advised that all operational Gardaí are aware of, and contribute to the aims and objectives of the operation.

I am advised, by the Garda Authorities, that An Garda Síochána recorded a total of 8,460 Arrests and 20,052 charge/summons in association with Operation Táirge on PULSE between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2024, the first 12 months of operation.

Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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530. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked Garda vans that came into the fleet in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the number of marked vans withdrawn from the fleet during same period, in tabular form. [9600/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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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, including Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the end of January 2025, there were 3,628 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 16% since the end of December.

I am advised that 66 marked vans were allocated to the Garda fleet in 2024 and that eight marked vans were removed from the fleet in the same period.

An Garda Síochána publishes information on the Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:

.