Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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410. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda members in each roads policing unit, by Garda division, to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45380/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions/units. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

The best way to increase the strength of all Garda Units, including the roads policing unit, is to accelerate recruitment into An Garda Síochána and that is exactly what we are doing. Budget 2024 has provided funding for up to 800-1000 new Garda recruits next year. We have also increased the training allowance and provided a package of wellbeing supports.

It is worth noting, however, that on average, 25% of roads policing enforcement is carried by regular Garda members, with the exception of drug/drink driving checks, 75% of which are carried out by regular Garda members.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí assigned to the Roads Policing Unit, by Division, as at the end of August 2023, the latest date for when figures are available.

Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.

The information can be found at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/

The Deputy may also be aware that I allocated an additional €1.2 million to An Gardaí Síochána earlier this year for mobile safety camera deployments and monitoring hours for the duration of 2023. This additional funding will see GoSafe provide an extra 1,500 hours of monitoring every month until the end of the year, a 20% increase. As part of Budget 2024, €3.6m additional funding has been allocated for GoSafe speed cameras, continuing the increased level of 9,000 hours a month announced last month through the whole of 2024.