Dáil debates

Thursday, 7 April 2011

3:00 pm

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to ensure no reduction in garda numbers and his plans on garda recruitment in 2011 [7165/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I do not want to upset the Deputy on our first Question Time.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Not before we even start.

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate him and wish him well in his position as my opposite number.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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That is only this week.

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This is a rather odd question and is what would be termed, in the lexicon of the United States and a language with which my father is familiar - Yiddish - as one of the best examples of chutzpah I can find. It is difficult to take the Deputy's question seriously as the previous Government, led by the Deputy's party, in its National Recovery Plan 2011–2014 published late last year, required Garda strength to be reduced from its then level of around 14,500 to 13,000 by the end of 2014 as part of a general reduction in public service numbers. That was part and parcel of the EU and IMF framework plan which the previous Government signed up to. Moreover, the plan prescribed a reduction from 14,500 to 13,500 by 31 December 2011 without the plan, or any subsequent initiative, by the outgoing Government detailing proposed steps to effect such a reduction. Effectively, it envisaged a reduction of the Garda force by 1,000 in the space of 12 months without explaining how that would be achieved. There was no initiative taken by the outgoing Government to facilitate this achievement.

This Government has its own overall target for a reduction in public service numbers, as set out in the programme for national recovery, and I will be discussing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and my other Cabinet colleagues the details of how this will be applied across the various parts of the public service. The outcome of this discussion and the rate of Garda retirements, which has fluctuated significantly in recent years, will determine when Garda recruitment will recommence. It will also determine the manner in which the objectives set by the Deputy's party, when in Government, of reducing the numbers of gardaí by 1,000 may be achieved.

There is no getting away from the reality that public expenditure and public service numbers must be reduced but I am determined, as are all my Cabinet colleagues, that this will be accompanied by real and substantive reform that will make the delivery of public services more efficient and cost effective. Our programme for national recovery recognises that a key objective of this reform is the protection of front-line services, and I regard that as a priority for Garda reform. I am very anxious to ensure that if numbers are reduced, the current services are maintained.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and opening comments. I am shadowing the Minister for this week at least but next week may bring something else for me. We must wait and see. I recognise what was contained in the four year programme published prior to the election. The Government parties gave a commitment in the programme for Government to retain a strong and efficient police force and at the same time there has been an indication that it is intended to reduce public service numbers by 25,000. Is the Government committed to reducing the Garda force by 1,000 over the course of the Government's term as outlined in the programme for Government?

With regard to Garda recruitment and training and balancing the reduction in numbers and retirements, when will the next intake of trainees be taken into Templemore? People have applied to join the force and been vetted but they have been put into a holding cell, so to speak. They are ready to be brought to Templemore to train. When will the next batch be brought in and will the Minister confirm his intention to reduce the number in the force by 1,000?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy correctly states that the programme for Government commits to a strong and efficient police force and it is our commitment to maintain such a force. With regard to numbers we are considering the implications of the EU and IMF agreement and I have an obligation in my Department to meet the financial estimates and not to over-reach in that regard. The Garda Commissioner must also meet his financial targets. I cannot say at this stage exactly what the position will be with Garda numbers at the end of this year. As it stands, there is an obligation to effect the reduction which the Deputy's party committed this State to in the agreement with the EU and IMF.

With regard to recruitment issues, in February last year the former Minister, Dermot Ahern, advertised for Garda recruits and by June there were 400 on a potential panel to go to Templemore. Without making an announcement, the former Minister put all 400 into cold storage. Where there is a commitment to reduce Garda numbers and the finances of the State are constrained, I cannot at this stage indicate when new recruitment might take place other than to indicate that I am anxious that there would be an influx of new young people into the Garda force over a period. I do not see any likelihood of new recruitment during 2011. Beyond that all I can say is the matter is under review.