Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel, including the allocation of gardaí to roads policing duties, is exclusively the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Garda traffic corps stood at 635 on 28 February 2018, the most recent date for which figures are to hand. In addition, I understand that there is one chief superintendent and two superintendents attached to the Dublin metropolitan region traffic corps and a superintendent and traffic inspector attached to each of the five regions. However, the Deputy will appreciate that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána as well as through targeted enforcement operations.

The current modernisation and renewal programme for An Garda Síochána places a strong emphasis on the role of the traffic corps being expanded to include crime prevention and detection on the roads through the establishment of divisional roads policing units. The policing plan for 2018 contains concrete measurable initiatives to keep our roads safe to protect lives and reduce serious injuries, including strengthening the numbers assigned to roads policing by 10% year on year. I am pleased to say that the Government has ensured that funding is in place to support the implementation of these initiatives.

This year 800 trainees will graduate from the Garda College in Templemore, 200 of whom attested last month. Taking account of projected retirements, this will see Garda numbers increase to 14,000 by the end of 2018. In this context, I understand that the Garda Commissioner intends to assign in the region of 150 additional gardaí on an incremental basis to roads policing duties this year to support better outcomes in road traffic enforcement and crime prevention.

I am informed by the Commissioner that regional competitions for assignment to roads policing duties commenced last year and that 136 gardaí and 13 sergeants have been successful in these competitions. As of last Friday, I understand that an additional ten sergeants and 71 gardaí have been assigned to roads policing units nationwide. The Commissioner expects to make further assignments in the near future.

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