Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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530. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to roads policing units on 31 March 2024; if forensic collision investigators and public service vehicle inspectors are included in those figures; if gardaí currently on sick leave are included in those figures; if those suspended are included in these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19425/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously.

Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. The Garda Commissioner has recently confirmed that all uniform Gardaí will undertake 30 minutes of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 29 February 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 627 Gardaí assigned to roads policing units.

Forensic collision investigators and public service vehicle inspectors are not included in the figures. Those on sick leave or suspended are included.

I am advised that when consideration is given to the allocation of resources (including newly attested Probationer Gardaí and personnel being allocated to specialist units such as Roads Policing) and in facilitating transfers of personnel to or from any Division, account is given to commitments outlined in the Annual Policing Plan. Other factors taken into account in the context of the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide include crime trends, local populations, geographical area and policing arrangements and operational strategies.

The situation remains closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the Operating Model of policing at Divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda Resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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531. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda roads policing internal competitions set up in each Garda region or division in 2023 and to date in 2024; the timeframe for each competition; the date and regions due to complete a competition shortly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19426/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I have been informed that, to date, in 2024 there has been one regional competition which spans across 3 Garda Regions - the Eastern, North-Western and Southern regions. The planned completion date for this competition is Q3 2024.

I have been informed that four Divisional Roads Policing competitions were run by the Garda authorities in 2023. I have been further informed that to date in 2024 there are no divisional competitions underway.

It is important to note that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.

On average 25% of roads policing enforcement is carried out by regular members, with the exception of drug/drink driving checks, 75% of which are carried out by regular members.

The Garda Commissioner has recently confirmed that all uniform Gardaí will undertake 30 minutes of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty. This will help increase Garda visibility on our roads and compliance with road traffic laws by motorists.

Funding provided by the Government under Budget 2024 provides for an increase in the number of frontline Gardaí and will also allow for the expansion of specialist units such as Roads Policing as the Commissioner deems appropriate.