Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the positions vacated by retiring gardaí at assistant commissioner, chief superintendent and superintendent level in 2009 have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13190/10]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received during 2009 for applications for early retirement from members of the gardaí, broken down by rank; the way this compares with each year from 2002; the number of applications received in 2010 to date; his views on reports that a significant number of senior gardaí are planning to take early retirement; the implications of such retirements for policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13002/10]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of the 170 Garda promotions, for which Cabinet approval has been given to fill vacancies arising from the many retirements now being experienced by the force, have now been made; when he expects this process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13001/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 35 and 50 together.

While the moratorium on appointments and promotions applies generally to the Garda Síochána, last year I obtained the sanction of the Minister for Finance for a number of senior positions, namely the appointment of 3 Chief Superintendents and 10 Superintendents. In addition, I recently obtained the sanction of the Minister for approximately 170 promotions, covering 9 at the rank of Chief Superintendent, 12 at the rank of Superintendent, 28 at the rank of Inspector and 120 at the rank of Sergeant.

The Commissioner has recently filled a significant number of the posts at the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector and interviews are taking place for filling the vacancies at the higher ranks. As soon as those interviews are complete I will be taking a memorandum to Government to allow appointments to be made.

I will write to the Deputy with details on the latest retirement statistics as soon as they are available.