As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, which includes the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, GoSafe is a private company contracted to An Garda Síochána for the provision of services. The safety camera project was established to reduce speed related collisions and therefore save lives. The system is operated by the service provider GoSafe under the direction of An Garda Síochána.
GoSafe has responsibility for ensuring monitoring and survey sessions are conducted in accordance with the schedules, and the provision of survey and monitoring data to An Garda Síochána. GoSafe provide the necessary vehicles, monitoring and survey equipment and operators. GoSafe work closely with An Garda Síochána to improve safety for all road users on Ireland’s road network.
Earlier this month I announced that an additional €1.2 million is to be allocated towards GoSafe, which provides and operates safety cameras in Ireland. This funding will increase monitoring hours by the GoSafe cameras by 20 per cent, or an extra 1,500 hours per month until the end of this year. It will bring the number of GoSafe hours up to 9,000 per month.
The following table provided to me by Garda authorities, updated as of 8 September 2023, outlines the amount of funding paid to GoSafe since the beginning of their current contract with An Garda Síochána.
Financial Year
|
Total
|
2017 (Current contract commenced 1/5/17)
|
8,655,186
|
2018
|
14,707,009
|
2019
|
14,760,600
|
2020
|
14,589,625
|
2021
|
14,624,559
|
2022
|
14,753,945
|
2023*
|
8,920,550
|
Grand Total
|
91,011,474
|
* Figures provided as of 8 September 2023.