Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018
269. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of full-time equivalent members of the Garda traffic corps and road policing bureau in each of the years since 2006, in tabular form. [53970/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
In 2017 the Commissioner established the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (GNRPB) to ensure a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. This is achieved through coordination of enforcement and development of policy based on research and analysis of statistics and by engaging in campaigns in partnership with other State Agencies. Furthermore, the Divisional Garda Traffic Corps have been re-named Garda Road Policing Units, to reflect the role the Units will play in denying criminals the use of the roads network. In addition to the Roads Policing Units focusing on the lifesaver offences of speeding, seatbelts, mobile phones and driving under the influence, they will also focus on crime prevention and crime detection. Divisional Roads Policing units will work closely with other Divisional units to target known criminals and to disrupt their activities through strict enforcement of road traffic legislation.
As of 31 October 2018 there were 7 Garda members assigned to the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (including an Assistant Commissioner) and 697 members of the Garda Roads Policing Units.
The strength of the Roads Policing Units by Division, in each of the years 2009 (the earliest date for which figures are readily available) to 31 October 2018 is available on my Department’s website through the link below.
roads policing
