An Garda Síochána to spend €5.1m on private contractor for collection of fixed-charge notices

Gardaí issued some 166,000 fixed-charge notices between January and November of 2023.

An Garda Síochána is to spend €5.1m retaining the services of a private contractor for the collection of fixed-charge notices over the next five years.

The force has tendered for applicants for a single-year contract, with four possible extensions of a year each, to collect money due under the penalty notices, typically delivered on foot of traffic infringements.

At present, fixed-charge notices can be paid either at a post office, via An Post, or directly to An Garda Síochána by mail.

Gardaí issued some 166,000 fixed-charge notices between January and November of 2023, the vast majority for speeding infractions, with the use of mobile phones while driving as the second most common offence.

Fixed-charge fines vary in magnitude. 

For a breach of the speed limit, the driver will typically receive three penalty points and pay €160 via fixed-charge notice, rising to €240 if not paid within 28 days.

Payment for using a mobile is €120 and three penalty points, rising to €180 if not paid on time, while parking offences — for doing so in any manner likely to cause danger for other people — carry a fine of €80.

At present, fixed-charge notices can be paid either at a post office, via An Post, or directly to An Garda Síochána by mail.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said that it doesn’t “comment on State procurement process (sic)”.

The tender for contract notes An Garda Síochána is seeking a contractor to “provide an efficient and cost-effective payment collection service” for all fixed-charge notices.

The process for payment begins with An Garda Síochána on a daily basis transferring an electronic file containing details of all fixed-charge notices to the contractor, with the processing company likewise transferring details of all paid charges back to the gardaí each day.

The successful bidder will also be expected to design the necessary computer interfaces for the fixed charge processing system and the payment process.

“The Contractor will be expected to provide all the necessary inputs to all aspects of implementation including planning, specification, design, coding, and detailed testing of the required interface to meet the requirements of An Garda Síochána,” the tender documents state.

At least one over-the-counter payment outlet is to be made available in each locality, gardaí said, with opening hours of between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 12pm on Saturdays.