Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 521: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the expansion of Garda resources from 12,000 to 14,000 as set out in the programme for Government was intended to include the new traffic corps; the strength of that force when the corps is fully operational; if it is intended to recruit in excess of 14,000 to allow for the traffic corps element; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32066/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as at 19 October 2005 was 574, all ranks. A further seven gardaí, all ranks, are attached to the Garda national traffic bureau based at Garda Headquarters. The personnel strength of the Garda Síochána includes personnel assigned to the Garda traffic corps.

While the members of the traffic corps are specifically dedicated to traffic duties, all gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with traffic duties as they arise.

Last November I announced the establishment by the Commissioner of a Garda traffic corps with a dedicated budget and staff structure. Furthermore, as a result of the Government's approval of my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, the Garda Commissioner will be in a position, as each cycle of recruit training is completed, to assign additional new members to the areas of greatest need with particular regard to certain priorities. These priorities will include the traffic corps.

The personnel strength of the Garda Síochána stood at 12,316, all ranks, on 28 October 2005. Between now and 2008, the traffic corps will increase its numbers to a complement of 1,200 on the following phased basis:

On Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006.