While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the Garda fleet, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources, including vehicles, under continual review. This is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 40 fully-electric vehicles and 10 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the Garda fleet. This represents 1.5% of the current fleet as of 14 October 2022.
A further 4 electric vehicles and 3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are on order for the fleet with expected delivery in Q4 2022.
Garda Fleet Management unit predict that 218 vehicles will reach end of life within the next 12 months. The type and quantity of vehicles to be purchased in 2023 is currently under consideration.
I also understand that Garda Fleet Management unit plan to roll out electric vehicles in conjunction with the required charging infrastructure. To date, there are 51 charge points installed at 18 locations throughout the Garda network.
Garda Fleet Management unit are currently liaising with Garda Estate Management to identify Garda stations that have suitable electrical supply capacity for the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. When suitable locations have been identified, consultation with the OPW will take place to prioritise EV charging point installation.
The table below shows a breakdown of vehicle type by district. For operational reasons An Garda Síochána do not supply a breakdown of vehicle type by station.
As of 14 October 2022
|
District
|
Fuel Type
|
Number of Vehicles
|
Vehicle Type
|
% of fleet
|
|
Blackrock
|
Electric
|
1
|
Car
|
|
|
Ballymun
|
Electric
|
4
|
Car
|
|
|
Fitzgibbon Street
|
Electric
|
3
|
Car
|
|
|
Tallaght
|
Electric
|
2
|
Car
|
|
|
Blanchardstown
|
Electric
|
3
|
Car
|
|
|
Letterkenny
|
Electric
|
2
|
Car
|
|
|
Garda HQ
|
Electric
|
2
|
Car
|
|
|
Garda College
|
Electric
|
3
|
Car
|
|
|
National Units
|
Electric
|
1
|
Car
|
|
|
Liaison & Protection
|
Electric
|
1
|
Car
|
|
|
Liaison & Protection
|
Plug in Hybrid Electric
|
10
|
Car
|
|
|
Drogheda
|
Electric
|
2
|
Car
|
|
|
Claremorris
|
Electric
|
4
|
Car
|
|
|
Westport
|
Electric
|
3
|
Car
|
|
|
Harcourt Square
|
Electric
|
1
|
Car
|
|
|
Athlone
|
Electric
|
4
|
Car
|
|
|
Wexford
|
Electric
|
4
|
Car
|
|
Total
|
|
|
50
|
|
1.5
|