An unprecedented allocation of €875 million in capital funding for the Justice sector has been welcomed by the Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD. The planned investment as outlined in the Governments Capital Plan 2016-2021 sets out strategic objectives.
As part of the plan, An Garda Siochana is being provided with a total of €269m for garda vehicles and the Garda ICT system. Of that, €46m is being provided for new Garda vehicles, €18m will be provided for garda station refurbishment and a major additional investment of €205m is being allocated for new technology and IT systems for the force.
Photo: (Garda Press Office)
Funding will be provide for both regular Garda patrol vehicles as well as specialist, high-power vehicles for targeted operations.
Announcing the allocation, Minister Fitzgerald said “The substantial investment of €46 million for new Garda vehicles proves this Government’s ongoing priority commitment to ensure that the Garda fleet is modern, effective and fit-for-purpose. Access to new and modern vehicles is vital in ensuring Gardai can be mobile, responsive and visible in the community, both urban and rural.” she said.
Photo: (Declan Keogh)
Since 2012, the Government has invested nearly €29 million in new Garda vehicles with 370 new Garda vehicles having come on stream since the start of this year.
The additional allocation of €205 million for Garda ICT systems and technology will bring the overall Garda ICT funding to €330 million over the lifetime of the capital plan.
The Minister stated: “The substantial additional investment of €205 million in new technology and systems for An Garda Síochána delivers on my commitment to progress important reforms of An Garda Síochána on foot of last year’s comprehensive report from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.
