Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of civilian personnel employed in Garda barracks; the additional number he will employ in order that trained gardaí can be released to undertake the duties for which they have been trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32877/08]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made regarding the implementation of the civilianisation programme within An Garda Síochána; the number of posts within the Garda which in 2002 were occupied by full members of the Garda and which are today held by civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32865/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 85 together.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 December 2002 the whole time equivalent figure for the number of civilians employed in An Garda Síochána was 1,775. The corresponding number as of 31 August 2008 was 2,003 which represents 2,592 employees. At 31 August 2008 the whole time equivalent number of clerical and administrative civilian staff employed in Garda Stations throughout the country was 1,059. The significant increase in the number of civilians employed throughout the force has been as a result of additional posts being created in the administrative, technical and professional areas.

It is important to note that civilianisation does not necessarily imply the direct replacement of Gardaí with civilians, but that it can take a number of forms. Firstly, there is the replacement of sworn members who are engaged in exclusively clerical, administrative or technical duties with civilian staff. Secondly, there is the use of civilian support which allows sworn members who would otherwise have to perform some administrative duties to focus exclusively on front-line policing duties. Thirdly, there is the recruitment of civilians to perform new or expanded administrative, managerial and professional support roles in An Garda Síochána. On this account, and because of the significant restructuring of roles, functions and business areas that has taken place at all levels of An Garda Síochána since 2002, it is very difficult to quantify the exact number of posts which, in 2002, were occupied by sworn members but which today are held by civilians. Furthermore, such an exercise would not reflect the full extent and impact of the Garda Síochána civilianisation programme to date.

Strategic planning of the next phase of the civilianisation programme is well underway. Arising from recommendation 3.21 of the third report of the Garda Inspectorate, the Commissioner has established a working group to review the potential for further civilianisation and to develop an integrated strategy for future civilianisation in the Garda organisation. This group is expected to report in late 2008.