Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of civilian personnel employed in the Garda Síochána; the percentage of personnel made up of civilians; if this percentage is high or low by international standards; the number of civilians working in the force by function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11174/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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There are currently 1,857 civilians employed in the Garda Síochána, which works out at almost 13% of total staff. This figure includes approximately 1,000 staff carrying out clerical and administrative duties and 49 staff employed in professional-technical areas such as financial accounting, information technology, teaching, nursing, research and human resources. The remainder are employed on general duties, including traffic wardens, cleaning, services attendants and general operatives.

As for international comparisons, I do not have up to date figures which would be meaningful in the context of comparing the Garda Síochána with other police forces but, regardless of that, I am committed to the ongoing implementation of the civilianisation programme. I am also determined that the additional gardaí being recruited under the current historic expansion of the force will be deployed to frontline, visible and effective policing duties.

Significant progress has been made on the implementation of the civilianisation programme to date, for example, 113 civilian finance officers have been appointed and are carrying out the district finance officer duties which were hitherto performed by gardaí. In addition, the recent establishment of the Garda information service centre, GISC, in Castlebar will, when fully operational, allow for the equivalent of up to 300 gardaí to be freed up for frontline outdoor policing duties.