Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

557. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 28 May 2019 will be supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34953/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion as well as capital allocation of €92 million this year.

Very significant capital investment is being made in the Garda fleet. An allocation of €10 million has been made for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2019, as part of a total €46 million investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021.  This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.  Further, 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, however, 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 Deputy may wish to know that Garda authorities have informed me that this year's allocation of €10 million is being used for the purchase and fit-out of over 300 new vehicles.

The Garda authorities have further informed me that the following table sets out the number of motorbikes allocated to and removed from Roads Policing Duties in 2018 and to date in 2019.

It is important to note that this table refers to new vehicles allocated to operational duty.  While I understand that no new motorbikes have been allocated to Roads Policing Duty to date in 2019, I am informed by the Garda authorities that orders have been placed for 25 motorbikes with a Garda Roads Policing specific fit-out.  I am advised that following delivery, it is expected that these motorbikes will be allocated to operational duty in the fleet early in 2020.