Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
648. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the traffic corps unit in the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by rank in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32614/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra687. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the traffic corps unit in the Dublin metropolitan region south division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by rank, in tabular form. [32763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra718. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the traffic corps unit by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32803/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra787. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the traffic corps unit by rank in the Limerick city division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33058/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 648, 687, 718 and 787 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.
Following an internal examination of the role and function of the Divisional Garda Traffic Corps they were renamed as Divisional Garda Road Policing Units to reflect the role the Units will play in denying criminals the use of the roads network. In addition to their focus on the lifesaver offences of speeding, seatbelts, mobile phones and driving under the influence, they also focus on crime prevention and crime detection.
It is important to note that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána. The Divisional Roads Policing units work closely with other Divisional units to target known criminals and to disrupt their activities through strict enforcement of road traffic legislation.
The Commissioner established the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (GNRPB) which is responsible for the oversight and strategic management of policing our roads network and for ensuring a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. I am pleased to say that I obtained sanction for a number of additional posts for the GNRPB, including: an Assistant Commissioner to head it up; a Chief Superintendent responsible for Roads Planning and Major Event Management; and two specialist posts at Superintendent rank, one for Roads Policing and one for Major Event Management.
The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. Budget 2018 supports the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of Roads Policing Units nationwide is currently at 680 including 87 that were assigned in the first quarter of this year following completion of regional competitions for assignment to roads policing duties. A further 63 will be assigned by year end.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the attached table, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.
