Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received to date in 2009 for early retirement from members of the Garda; the way this compares to the same period in each year from 2002; his views on reports that a significant number of senior gardaí are planning to take early retirement as a result of the public service pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21687/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that 178 members of the Garda Síochána have voluntarily retired in the first four months of this year. This compares to 74 in the same period last year, 33 the previous year and 62 the year before that. A breakdown of figures for other years is not immediately available. Clearly, the rate of early retirements is increasing compared to previous years but, equally, it is not possible to predict with certainty the number of retirements for the full year. A not unexpected factor in the level of retirements this year is the impact of the three-year extension of the retirement age which was extended to the Garda Síochána in 2006. This means that gardaí who would in the normal course have been due to retire from the force in 2006 on age grounds are now due to retire in the current year.

It is my top priority to maintain the crime-fighting capacity of the Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner, mindful of the general moratorium on public service appointments and of the need to make a strong case for any exceptions, has carefully assessed the capacity available to him at a senior level within the Garda Síochána. The Commissioner's approach has been to identify those posts which are especially important for operational policing. As a result of a submission from the Garda Commissioner and following agreement with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, I submitted a proposal to the Government yesterday for the appointment of three chief superintendents and ten superintendents as an exceptional measure. I am pleased to say that the Cabinet made the appointments. I will continue to keep the situation under review.

The Deputy will also be aware that there has been a very considerable increase in Garda resources in recent years, with the number of attested members rising from 10,968 at the end of 1997 to 11,895 at the end of 2002, to 13,755 at the end of 2007 and to 14,478 in the most recent figures. Even in this year of budgetary constraints, some 900 student gardaí will become attested. These significant increases in Garda resources mean that the force is well-placed to absorb the impact of budgetary constraints and to continue to provide a top-class policing service.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does this mean the Minister discounts the advice given to him by the AGSI, whose members told him they feared for the capacity to discharge their managerial functions given the expected rate of early retirement? When he gives me the figure for the number who have left in the first four months of this year, has he figures available with regard to the prospective retirements for the rest of the year? When he states the extension of retirement age is a factor, is he suggesting that issues such as the pension levy are not a factor at all? Is he not mindful of the advice given to him by those at various levels of the Garda Síochána, who said this would drive a number of them out early? Is he suggesting their fear that their gratuity would be taxed is no longer the case and that they need not fear this? Can he say how his target of 15,000 for the end of year is likely to be affected by this haemorrhage of early retirements?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We cannot give an indication of what the overall figure for retirements over the year will be. It was always indicated, even before any recent announcements in the budget or in regard to moratoriums and so on, that over a three-year period, given the fact there was an extension in regard to age back in 2006, there would always be a spike in these years, particularly at the current time. However, that is not the only reason. There are quite a number of gardaí of an age and service level who could retire, given that under the regulations for Garda retirement a garda with 30 years service may retire on a full pension at any time once he or she reaches the age of 50 years for those who joined prior to 2004 and at age 55 for those who joined since that date. Obviously, there would be a considerable number of gardaí in this category. When one considers that the number of gardaí coming into the system has rapidly increased, it is the case that we have to keep a very close eye on the management level. This is one of the reasons I went to Cabinet yesterday in regard to the filling of vacancies. The Garda Commissioner is extremely happy with the result of the Cabinet deliberations in that respect in that three new chief superintendents and ten superintendents have now been nominated.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On that point, I understand there are 181 superintendents, 101 of whom are eligible to retire, and 43% of the ranks of ordinary gardaí have five years service or less. Clearly, there is an emerging problem. The Minister seems reluctant to give us details of his Department's assessment of the impact of recent impositions on the public service, including the Garda Síochána. How will the early Garda retirement age affect the capacity of the management of the force to discharge its functions? The Government had set a target of having 15,000 members of the Garda by December 2009, but what does the Minister anticipate that the actual figure will be?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have indicated previously that the figure is expected to be approximately 14,900. There are approximately 900 gardaí in training as we speak. It is probable that 900 new gardaí will come on stream between now and the end of the year. I cannot dictate whether there will be an increase in the number of retirements. It is a matter for individual gardaí, as they approach retirement age and fulfil the criteria that are laid down, to decide when they will retire. It is obvious that retirement patterns have to be monitored. I do not doubt that there has been an increase. It was anticipated that there would be a spike in retirements as a consequence of the extension of the overall retirement age. It has to be said that the views being expressed by the public about the public sector in general might be causing people to leave the sector.

The retirement scheme that was announced in the recent supplementary budget does not apply to the Garda Síochána, to which specific retirement criteria apply. The Garda retirement regime is a favourable one, in recognition of the fact that the members of the force do a very difficult job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Particular arrangements have been made for gardaí over the years for that reason. There is no doubt that we have to examine the emerging retirement figures, particularly in these tough times. The Government will keep this matter under review in the context of the moratorium on recruitment.