John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 470: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons killed on roads for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005: the number of vehicles on roads for the same period; the funding allocated to the Garda Síochána for each county specifically for the prevention of road deaths in each of these complete years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31329/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of persons killed on the roads for the years 2000 to 2004, inclusive, and to date in 2005 is set out in the following table.

Members of the Garda Síochána discharge a large number of duties, including road traffic safety and road traffic law enforcement as part of their regular policing responsibilities. The annual Garda budget has a national remit and is not allocated on a programme or county basis. Therefore, it is not possible to quantify Garda expenditure designed to prevent road deaths on a county basis. However, expenditure of funds is consistent with the objectives set out in the annual policing plan, which include Garda duties and initiatives designed to prevent road deaths.

The assistant commissioner for traffic has overall responsibility for identifying and recommending necessary expenditure on a national basis. Prior to the establishment of a new traffic corps in 2005, this responsibility lay with the Garda national traffic bureau.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that funding for road traffic enforcement technology and road traffic equipment is accounted for under E5 subhead. The budget for this subhead for the years 2000 to 2005 inclusive is outlined in the following table.

I am informed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who has responsibility for the licensing of motor vehicles, that the numbers of mechanically propelled vehicles under current licence at 31 December were as follows.