asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of members of the Gárda Síochána at present engaged on point duty (temporary and permanent) in the Irish Free State; and if he will also state the saving that would be effected by his Department if automatic traffic signals were installed.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Guards on Point Duty.
There are approximately 100 Gárdaí wholly employed on point duty in the Saorstát and it is estimated that the total of the periods during which Gárdaí are employed on temporary point duty is equivalent to full time duty for approximately 40 Gárdaí. The saving which would be effected by the installation of automatic signalling devices would, of course, depend on the extent of such installations which possibly might not be suitable at many "points." Moreover, the use of such devices would probably necessitate the employment of mobile traffic squads. In the circumstances no useful estimate of possible savings can be given.
Can the Minister say when it is intended to install these automatic signals in the City?
The position is being examined at the present time to see what savings might be effected by them.