Thomas Gould
Ceist:185. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of roads policing units by county. [17482/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 July 2020
Ceisteanna (185, 186)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:186. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of roads policing units in County Cork in 2010. [17483/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
I have requested information from An Garda Síochána on the matter raised and will write directly to the Deputy when it is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 185 and 186 which were for answer on the 22 July 2020, where you asked for ‘the number of roads policing units by county and; the number of roads policing units in County Cork in 2010’.
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand. The requested information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are 64 Roads Policing units nationally. I am informed that at 30 June 2020 there were 734 Garda personnel assigned to these units. A breakdown of these units is appended to this letter.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that there were 6 Roads Policing units in Cork in 2020. I understand these units were located in Cork City (at Anglesea Street), Cork North (Fermoy, Mallow, Middleton) and Cork West (at Bandon and Macroom).
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, as well as through specific enforcement operations.
I understand that the Commissioner established the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau 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.
I understand that in addition to a focus on the lifesaver offences of speeding, seatbelts, mobile phones and driving under the influence, Divisional Roads Policing Units work closely with other relevant Divisional Units to target known criminals and to disrupt their activities through strict enforcement of road traffic legislation.
The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána and deployment of resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions, including Roads Policing Units. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
The resources provided to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. This level of funding is enabling sustained ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As at 30 June 2020, there were approximately 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow.
This total figure includes the Garda trainees from two separate intake classes who attested earlier than scheduled in March 2020, following an operational decision by the Garda Commissioner to augment An Garda Síochána's capacity to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Appendix: Breakdown of Roads Policing Units National
|
Division |
Number of Roads Policing Units |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
3 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
|
Cork North |
3 |
|
Cork West |
2 |
|
DMR East |
2 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
|
DMR North Central |
3 |
|
DMR Roads Policing |
1 |
|
DMR South |
1 |
|
DMR South Central |
1 |
|
DMR West |
1 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
|
Galway |
3 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
3 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
2 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
2 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Total |
64 |