Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 8 February 2024
Public Accounts Committee
Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
9:30 am
Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I will refer back to the issues of budgeting and staffing. I agree with previous speakers. My experience is that we hear a lot of complaints from rank-and-file gardaí about the pressure they feel if an investigation is under way. They may be suspended or other things may happen pending the outcome of the investigation. It puts a cloud over them and puts them in a difficult situation from the point of view of their careers, families and communities. It is important for that to be dealt with.
At the moment, GSOC has 23 vacancies. According to Grant Thornton, there is a need for 180 extra staff. At the moment, there is a total of 160 staff. How many of those are investigators?