Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will increase the level of personnel in the Garda traffic corps in view of the recent rise in road traffic fatalities and the significant decrease in members of the traffic corps in recent years. [26000/16]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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178. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of increasing the Garda traffic corps to 1,000 personnel; if her Department or agencies under its remit have carried out any research on the increase in serious crashes and the decline in traffic corps numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26131/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 178 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current strength of the Traffic Corps is 686 (as at 31 July 2016). I am further informed that the first year cost of recruitment of 314 new members to An Garda Síochána on a full year basis is some €6.8 million. However, as the Deputies will be aware, the distribution of personnel within An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I acknowledge the serious issue of road traffic collisions referred to by the Deputy, and I am mindful of the traumatic impact of serious collisions on those directly affected and their families, as well as the impact of dangerous driving, more generally, on the quality of life of residents in local communities across the country.

Ireland has, over a number of years, developed a multi-agency approach to road safety through the involvement of a number of agencies working in partnership, under the aegis of a Road Safety Strategy led by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Our current Road Safety Strategy covers the period 2013-2020 and seeks to close the gap between Ireland and the safest countries in the European Union and beyond. Progress in relation to the actions and outcomes set out in this strategy are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Road Safety Authority and the other agencies involved, and overseen at a Ministerial Committee on Road Safety.

The Deputies are, no doubt, aware of the significant investment in Garda resources currently underway. This investment is closely associated with delivery on the Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, which sets out key strategic objectives for Roads Policing and will inform and guide An Garda Síochána’s road policing plans over the next 5 years.

Insofar as road traffic enforcement is concerned generally, An Garda Síochána's Roads Policing Operations Plan 2016 incorporates a programme of high visibility road safety and enforcement operations, carried out in partnership with other state agencies, and is being implemented by each Regional Traffic Superintendent. The focus of the Plan is on the most vulnerable road user categories of motor cyclists, pedal cyclists, pedestrians and learner permit holders. Garda operations specifically target road use behaviour known to contribute significantly to collisions, including speeding, driving while intoxicated, and use of a mobile phone.

Road traffic legislation is also enforced as part of the day to day duties of members of An Garda Síochána. Both targeted and general methods of enforcement have a valuable role to play in An Garda Síochána's enforcement programme, which targets locations with a view to preventing the commission of offences, detecting errant motorists, changing their behaviour and ultimately reducing death and injuries on our roads.