Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí involved in traffic duties on a daily basis on the road network here; the annual expenditure of An Garda Síochána on traffic management duties; the percentage of the Garda overall budget dedicated to traffic and road safety enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41345/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that all members of An Garda Síochána have a duty and responsibility to enforce all aspects of road traffic legislation on a daily basis.

Between now and 2008, it is planned that the Traffic Corps will increase its numbers to a complement of 1,200. The new members will be assigned to areas identified to be in most need of additional resources to pursue enforcement strategies.

I should also say that an additional 163 Probationer Gardaí have been allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region since 17 November, 2006 with particular responsibility for the enforcement of Operation 'Freeflow' which came into effect on Monday 27 November, 2006 and will continue until 7 January, 2007.

Garda Management state that Traffic Management and enforcement duties are carried out as part of normal operational policing duties and, as such, are not assigned a specific budget within the total Garda Vote. Therefore, it is not possible to quantify the cost of Garda duties dedicated to traffic and road safety enforcement. However, I am informed that funds provided are consistent with the objectives in the Annual Policing Plan which include Garda duties and initiatives in relation to road traffic matters.

I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.