Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2005
932 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of additional gardaí added to the Garda traffic corps to date in 2005; the total number of gardaí now in the corps; the Garda area divisions which have received such additional corps members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24602/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that 27 gardaí have been added to the traffic corps in 2005. This gives a total of 565 gardaí, all ranks, attached to the traffic corps.
The breakdown of additional members by division is outlined in the following table.
|
Division |
|
|
Carlow/ Kildare |
3 Gardaí |
|
Clare |
1 Garda |
|
Cork City |
1 Inspector |
|
Donegal |
2 Gardaí |
|
Laois/ Offaly |
1 Garda |
|
Limerick |
1 Garda |
|
Roscommon |
1 Garda |
|
Sligo/ Leitrim |
1 Garda |
|
D.M.R. East |
1 Garda |
|
D.M.R. Traffic |
15 Gardaí |
I have been further informed that an additional sergeant and five gardaí have been proposed for assignment to Laois-Offaly division today, 28 September 2005.
I announced the establishment within the Garda Síochána of the traffic corps on 23 November 2004. The Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government. As each cycle of recruit training is completed, the Garda Commissioner will assign these new members to the areas of greatest need with particular regard to certain priorities, which include the traffic corps.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí assigned to the traffic corps will increase from the current level of 565 to 1,200 by 2008. The strength of the traffic corps will be increased on the following phased basis in tandem with the recruitment of almost 1,100 recruits in each of the next three years — 2006 — 805; 2007 — 1,030; and 2008 — 1,200.
