Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí allocated to the Garda traffic corps in the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [38436/15]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles allocated to the Garda traffic corps in the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [38437/15]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation to the Garda traffic corps in the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [38438/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 to 114, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Traffic Corps, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. It is important to note that roads policing is the duty of every Garda member, this duty is not reserved for Garda members of the Traffic Corps Units. As part of this enforcement policy members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and ‘ad hoc’ checkpoints as required, including mandatory alcohol testing (MAT) checkpoints.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda Traffic Corps on the 31 December 2012 - 2014 for which figures are readily available was as set out in the table below.

Garda Traffic Corps Personnel

As the Deputy will be aware, Garda recruitment recommenced in 2014 with 475 new recruits having already commenced training; 295 having already passed out and are now working in the community; a further 75 to enter the Garda college in the coming weeks; and 600 to be recruited in 2016. I have requested further up to date details in relation to the personnel strength of the Garda Traffic Corps during 2015 including on foot of this recent recruitment. I will revert to the Deputy directly with this information.

The provision and allocation of Garda transport is also a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. The table below outlines the vehicle allocation for the Garda Traffic Corps from 2012 – 2014:

GARDA TRAFFIC FLEET STRENGTH 2012 – 2014

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has also invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, including vehicles for use in patrols of the road network.

I have requested further details of the Garda Traffic Fleet strength during 2015 including an up to date report on the allocation of new vehicles to the traffic fleet. I will revert to the Deputy directly with this information.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as the Garda Traffic Corps units are assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the State, the costs associated with the Traffic Corps are not accounted for separately and are included in the total cost of running a Garda Division. Consequently, it is not possible to isolate the costs and budget allocations in respect of the Traffic Corps for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.