Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the Exchequer of employing an additional member of the Garda Síochána including typical allowances and overtime payments, PRSI, pension overheads, personal equipment and uniform requirements. [28475/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The starting pay for a member of the Garda Síochána is €23,598 per annum rising to a maximum of €42,404 over 17 years on an incremental scale. The estimated total annual payroll costs including pay, allowances and employers' PRSI, but excluding overtime, for a member of the force in his-her first year following qualification from the Garda college is €39,767. It is difficult for me to provide the Deputy with an estimate of typical overtime costs for a newly qualified member of the Garda Síochána, since overtime is contingent on Garda operational needs which vary between Garda districts throughout the year. Accordingly, it would be misleading for me to apply an average overtime earnings figure for any particular member of the force.

The cost of personal equipment and uniform is approximately €580 per member. Pension overhead costs, inclusive of employee contributions, are estimated to be 30% of pensionable pay and allowances and would amount to €10,500 approximately.

In relation to Garda resources generally, I am very pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government. The project is well under way and on target. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.