Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the civilian component of An Garda Síochána is to be enhanced; and if there are any targets in place in that regard. [7630/17]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My question is in respect of the civilian component in An Garda Síochána. I know it is the Minister's intention to enhance it. What are the targets envisaged in that regard?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has agreed an overall vision for the Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This very substantial investment in personnel is driven by our commitment to ensure all citizens have the reassurance of a visible, responsive and effective policing service.

At present, there are approximately 2,000 civilians in the organisation carrying out senior management, administrative and technical roles. The projected number of 4,000 civilians will effectively double the figure and represents a medium-term target of 20% civilians over the next five years. That will bring An Garda Síochána, currently with 14% civilians, more into line with international norms and ensure that trained police men and women, are available for and utilised in operational areas.

To support the implementation of this vision, budget 2017 has provided funding for 800 Garda trainees, 300 Garda Reserve trainees and up to 500 civilians. The recruitment and appointment of the additional civilians will help to address capacity and critical skills gaps across the organisation and at the various levels. I will not go into the details of that now.

We will reach the 20% target by the identification of gardaí filling roles that could be done by suitably qualified civilians. The Garda Inspectorate has indicated there may be in the region of 1,500 in that situation, although the number is disputed, and, second, by the application of a civilian-by-default policy under which all new posts, other than operational policing posts, and non-operational policing posts that become vacant, will be filled by civilian staff with the appropriate skills and expertise. We are committed to moving ahead on the recruitment of 500 civilian staff this year.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Tánaiste for her response. The reason I raise the question is because we know that a 2015 Garda Inspectorate report pointed out that the Garda Síochána had a relatively low percentage of civilians within its force. It calculated the number of civilians as being in the region of 14%. When one compares that to the situation in neighbouring police forces - for example, in Scotland, there is approximately 25% civilianisation and the PSNI has 26% - the figure here is quite low.

I am aware the Minister previously announced plans to double the number of civilian staff in An Garda Síochána by 2021 but we must broaden civilianisation and recognise that at the top level of An Garda Síochána it is really a management job. I know we spend a lot of time talking about An Garda Síochána. It is obviously a policing job but it is even more so a management job and we need to have civilians at the top in terms of civilianisation to ensure the force is properly managed.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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During 2017 it is anticipated that there will be a redeployment of 147 Garda members as a result of increases in civilian numbers. That equates to some 30% of the 500 civilian appointments approved for the year, leading to redeployments. The process will accelerate in future years. I fully agree with Deputy O'Callaghan that we must ensure that where civilians can do the work within An Garda Síochána we must do everything possible to make sure that happens. I accept that, as Deputy O'Callaghan indicated, we are below the international levels in regard to civilianisation. We have gardaí doing jobs that could clearly be done by civilians, but the process must be managed in a careful and planned way. Some forces have advanced civilianisation in a rapid way and I have heard from them that one must be careful about identifying the particular posts.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The benefit of civilianisation is that it allows the members of An Garda Síochána to be out on the street doing active policing, which is what communities want. There is also an advantage in the sense that one gets a different form of culture coming into the Garda. I do not criticise Garda culture, as that has been done enough this week, but in terms of any organisation, if one can get people in from outside one gets a mix of people within an organisation and that improves it.

The Garda modernisation and renewal programme seems less than overwhelming about the process. It simply says there will be an increase in civilianisation and that it will be conscious of not developing a two-tier service. I do not think people should be fearful of that, as civilians and police officers can work hand in hand and complement each other.

Is the Minister confident that the target of doubling the number of civilians will be achieved by 2021? That is a big ask. Will the Labour Court recommendations affect the process?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am confident. The intention is to continue to move in the direction of the targets. The funding has already been given for this year for those 500 staff. Deputy O'Callaghan mentioned the modernisation and renewal plan. I have requested the Policing Authority to monitor and assess the implementation of the plan and to report back to me not just once a year but on a quarterly basis. The Policing Authority will have an independent role in that regard and it can monitor the progress each quarter. That is another useful way of keeping track of progress. The modernisation and renewal programme is a significant one and it has a timeframe of five years. I agree with the Deputy that it is important the targets on civilianisation are met.