Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Another relevant consideration will be the plan, which the Commissioner has in preparation in conjunction with the Policing Authority regarding the identification of administrative and technical posts occupied by sworn officers that could be filled by suitably qualified civilians. That plan is due to be submitted to my Department before the end of the year. The Deputy will recall that the Garda Inspectorate made a number of relevant points about that. However, the key point is that the vacancies that existed under the employment control framework, ECF, have all been filled, and the last 11 were filled by this Government. People will understand that the vacancies have been filled and there are no further vacancies, but as vacancies arise in the course of 2017, which the Policing Authority will advertise, it is completely open to anyone who is still on the panel to apply for promotion to those vacancies.

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