Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Recruitment

7:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has brought to Government his request for approval for the appointment of an additional 1,000 gardaí; the response received from Government; when he expects that a decision will be made on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41937/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In August 2005, I received a submission from the Garda Commissioner on the resourcing requirements of An Garda Síochána. The submission was based on the Commissioner's analysis of the policing challenges facing An Garda Síochána in the medium and longer term, including the implications of demographic change, the need to continue to combat crime and terrorist threats, and the requirements for enhanced enforcement of road traffic law and immigration control. In the submission, the Commissioner proposed the future expansion of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 full time members. He also proposed the expansion of the Garda overtime budget, the creation of a Garda Reserve and additional civilian support for An Garda Síochána.

Strong action has been taken on the Commissioner's proposals. The 2006 Garda overtime budget allocation has risen by €22.4million to €83.5million, an increase of 36.6% over the original allocation of €61.1m in 2005. The Garda Reserve has been established, with the first group of recruits expected to complete their training later this month. Significant progress is being made on providing additional civilian support at management level for An Garda Síochána.

On the issue of an increase in the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000, the priority has been the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of An Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 has resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. This has involved a major redevelopment of the facilities at the Garda College, almost doubling its student capacity.

As regards the future expansion of An Garda Síochána, I have asked the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to make any necessary recommendations for the more efficient deployment of Garda personnel and I can inform the Deputy that the Garda Síochána Inspectorate is currently undertaking an operational and administrative assessment of the Garda Síochána, including resource allocation and the deployment of Garda and civilian personnel. I have asked for an interim report from the Inspectorate on its assessment no later than end January 2007. In the context of the continuation of the existing accelerated Garda recruitment programme to achieve a Garda strength of 15,000 members, I intend to discuss this issue with my Government colleagues at that stage.

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