I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of gardaí attached to traffic units in 1998 was 351. The number of gardaí attached to traffic units at the end of 2003 was 520 and the current number for the year to date is 531. In the time available for answering parliamentary questions it has not been possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy in respect of the years 1999 to 2002 inclusive.
The strength of the Garda traffic corps over the next four years will be as set out in the following table:
|
Year
|
Number
|
|
2005
|
563
|
|
2006
|
805
|
|
2007
|
1,030
|
|
2008
|
1,200
|
All recruit gardaí admitted to the Garda College in the year 2005 will receive the same level of training as those currently undergoing training under the student/ probationer education, training and development programme. All personnel assigned to the new traffic corps will have completed the standard training programme.
Each quarter for the next three years, approximately 274 recruits will be taken into the college, amounting to almost 1,100 recruits each year. Taking into account projected retirements, it will lead to a combined organisational strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 as early as 2006. Provision has been made in the 2005 Estimates for the Garda Vote to deal with recruitment of gardaí in that year. It is estimated that the cost for same in 2005 will amount to €11.793 million.
