Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Garda Síochána Inspectorate was established in 2006 and is supported by the Department to ensure that adequate financial resources are provided each year through the Estimates process.  The inspectorate is entirely independent in the performance of its functions and the three inspectors are supported by a small team seconded from my Department.  The budget allocation in 2022 is €1.362 million and there are nine staff members currently seconded. The mechanisms by which my Department monitors and appraises the performance of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate are set out in the oversight agreement 2022-2023, which was signed in February 2022. This document is publicly available on my Department’s website.

My Department’s criminal justice governance function has primary responsibility for the oversight of all criminal justice agencies, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. This team uses a number of mechanisms to carry out these duties. As set out in the oversight agreement, at least two formal meetings with the inspectorate are held every year.  Through these meetings, my officials gain a detailed insight into both the inspectorate’s performance on its agreed upon targets for the year and its adherence to the principles of good governance.

In between formal governance meetings, the inspectorate provides my Department with an in-depth update on its performance. Outside of these formal meetings and reports, there are regular, less formal engagements between my Department and the inspectorate as the need arises, including regular engagement at a senior level with the chief inspector. Together, these measures ensure that my Department is consistently well-informed about the inspectorate’s performance in relation to its targets. The Deputy also inquired about An Garda Síochána's strategy statement 2022-2024. Under section 21 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Commissioner prepares the strategy, which must have regard for Government policy, the policing priorities as determined by the Policing Authority, the policing principles, and the resources available. The Policing Authority approves the Strategy, with the consent of the Minister. The Garda Commissioner has obtained approval from the Policing Authority for the new strategy for 2022 to 2024 as well as the policing plan for 2022. In addition, the Policing Authority has determined new policing priorities following public consultation, research, and reflection on the previous three years. As Minister, I have consented to the strategy, which will be shortly laid before the Oireachtas.

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