Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
223 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his announcement in September 2004 that hundreds of additional gardaí will be deployed on traffic duties, the number he proposes to so redeploy; and the units from which these gardaí will be drawn. [23142/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána, all ranks, as at 16 September 2004 was approximately 12,150. In April 2002, the Government agreed to increase the approved strength of the force by 200 to 12,200. Recruitment was carried out during 2003 with a view to bringing the strength of the force to 12,200 by 31 December 2004. I am confident, as is the Garda Commissioner, that this figure will be achieved.
The programme for Government stated that the Government would complete the previous programme of expansion of the Garda Síochána, which aimed at a strength of 12,000, and then increase the strength by a further 2,000. This commitment remains and I will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future with a view to increasing recruitment towards achieving the target of 14,000.
The allocation of Garda resources generally and for the enforcement of road traffic offences in particular is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am confident that any additional resources provided to the Commissioner will be used to optimum effect and in a focused way, as will the allocation of current resources.
The Government's road safety strategy 2004-06 which was launched last week forms the framework within which road safety policy will be developed over the coming years. Many of the targets and actions recommended in the strategy are already at various stages of implementation or planning, including the private operation of speed cameras and the outsourcing of the collection of fixed charge fines. Under the Road Traffic Bill 2004, which the Minister for Transport has published, these initiatives will be fully implemented and will facilitate the removal of members of the Garda Síochána from routine administrative duties and the redeployment of these resources for the purposes of front line policing and enforcement.
