Gardaí paid private companies more than €4.7 million to tow and store people's vehicles last year.
It’s an increase of 16 per cent on 2018.
Gardaí often use private firms to arrange for the removal of vehicles after a breach of road traffic laws. They can also be seized for an investigation, and are often stored in a garage for several days.
According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, Gardaí have paid out more than €12.2 million for this over the past three years.
In 2017, the cost came to just over €3.4 million, rising to nearly €4.1 million in 2018 and more than €4.7 million last year.
In 2019, the highest amount was in Dublin, at €1.3 million, followed by €467,000 in Cork and €426,000 in Galway.
Conor Faughnan from the AA says there is several reasons why cars are seized;
"Cars are seized because they don't valid NCTs, they're in dangerous conditions. Cars are seized when they're not properly insured."
He went on to say that the recent increase might be down to the Clancy amendment;
"People will be aware this was a toughening of the legislation recently which meant that the Gardaí could impound the car of a learner permit holder who was unaccompanied."
