Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 421: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount which has been allocated to the budget for the newly created traffic corps in 2005; the amount which was allocated to the Garda Síochána for its traffic units in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8625/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 423: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who make up the Garda traffic corps; the proposed increases in manpower for 2005; when these will be added to the traffic corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8627/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 423 together.

There is no specific budget allocated in the 2005 Garda Vote to the newly created traffic corps. While the traffic corps has been established, it is still in the process of formation and all associated expenditure is currently being met from within the overall 2005 Garda Vote.

The budget allocated for road traffic equipment for traffic units in 2004 was €1,074,000. Of course, the main costs incurred by the traffic units in terms of salaries and vehicles were accounted for centrally within the Garda Vote. In this regard, I have obtained an increase of 21% or almost €200 million in the Garda Vote since I was appointed Minister — from €942 million in 2002 to €1.13 billion for 2005.

As the Deputy is aware, I announced the establishment within the Garda Síochána of the traffic corps on 23 November 2004. The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government. As each cycle of recruit training is completed, the Garda Commissioner will assign these new members to the areas of greatest need with particular regard to certain priorities, which include the traffic corps.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí assigned to the traffic corps will increase from the current approved level of approximately 530 to 1,200 by 2008. The assignment of gardaí to the traffic corps will be done on the following phased basis in tandem with the recruitment of almost 1,100 recruits in each of the next three years: 2005 — 563, 2006 — 805, 2007 — 1,030 and 2008 — 1,200.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 422: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date in developing and implementing a traffic corps strategy; when this strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8626/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the establishment of the Garda traffic corps on 23 November 2004. A strategic review of traffic policing conducted by a Garda working group and presented to the commissioner was also published on that date.

A key recommendation of the strategic review is that a new position of assistant commissioner, traffic, should be created. The Government approved a proposal from me that an additional officer at the rank of assistant commissioner be created. The position of assistant commissioner, traffic, was filled on 22 February 2005.

The commissioner has tasked the assistant commissioner with implementing the recommendations contained in the strategic review in line with the implementation plan contained in the report.