Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for further civilianisation of the Gardaí in order to free trained members for front line duty; his views on the view expressed in the Final Report of the Advisory Group on Garda Management and Leadership Development that progress in regard to civilianisation has been risible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27371/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I fully support the Garda Commissioner in the continued implementation of the civilianisation programme proposed for An Garda Síochána and am happy to say that significant progress has been made to date in the recruitment of civilian staff by the Garda Commissioner.

The number of full time and part time civilian staff assigned to the Garda Síochána as at the 2nd November 2007 was 2,267. Approximately 284 Clerical Officers have been recruited and assigned positions within An Garda Síochána since the 1 January 2007. These have been allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Garda Headquarters and Specialised Units.

A campaign to recruit a further 300 civilians which will release trained members of the Force for front-line duty is well underway and interviews are currently being held by the Public Appointments Service to recruit these Clerical Officers. These persons will be allocated to Divisions outside the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

The civilianisation of middle and senior positions in the Garda Síochána has commenced. Currently, there is a Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Finance, Head of Internal Audit, HR Manager, Housing Officer, Transport Manager and a civilian of Principal Officer grade in the Information Technology section. A civilian Director of Communications has recently taken up her post. Recruitment for the following positions will start shortly: — Director of Information and Communications Technology, Director of Change Management, Head of Legal Affairs and Executive Director of Human Resources. This will be in addition to the recruitment of a number of civilian crime analysts.

A dedicated Human Resource Directorate has been established in the Garda Síochána to serve the needs of the civilian, administrative, professional, technical and industrial staff in the Garda Síochána and to promote an extensive programme of civilianisation.

I am assured by the Commissioner that the Garda Síochána is committed to developing the civilian support function within the Garda Síochána to the level of best international practice and that he will continue to work to drive the civilianisation programme forward. I will fully support the Garda Commissioner in the continued implementation of organisational reform which is supported by the analysis and recommendations of the Hayes Group.