David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the starting salary and allowances in place for gardaí as and from 1 January 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33754/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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77. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the starting salary and allowances in place for gardaí as and from 1 November 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33755/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.

The position as of 1 November 2016 is that trainee Gardaí are supported while completing their 2 year BA in Police Studies. For the 32 week duration of phase 1 of their training they receive abasic weekly allowance of €184 and full board in the Garda College. After 32 weeks they are fully attested and move onto the first point of the Garda incremental pay scale of €23,750. The incremental scale rises to €42,138 per annum after 8 years with two further increments after 13 and 19 years' service which bring the maximum of the pay scale to €45,793 per annum after 19 years. New Gardaí, like all public servants, will see their salary increased by €1,000 in September 2017 under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, as part of the Government's commitment to the gradual restoration of pay.

When considering Garda pay it is, however, important to recall that the Garda salary scale does not represent the full earnings of a Garda as it does not include any allowances which form a very significant part of Garda earnings. Newly attested Gardaí assigned to frontline duties work the Garda Roster which attracts unsocial hours payments. They also qualify for uniform allowance and boot allowance. Taking account of these allowances I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the average earnings of a newly attested Garda in the first year of their probation is approximately €30,500.

In January 2010, the first point of the Garda salary scale was €25,745. Having regard to a restructuring of the training programme in the intervening years this is not directly comparable with the position that pertains at present. In addition, newly attested Gardaí at that time qualified for the rent allowance. Following a review of all allowances in the public service during 2011 and 2012, the Government decided on 18 September 2012 that this allowance should be abolished for all new public servants including Gardaí, Prison Officers and Fire Officers. It is acknowledged that this decision has had a significant impact on new Gardaí recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014.

As the Deputy will be aware, on Thursday last the Labour Court issued recommendations in respect of disputes involving the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI). The Court's recommendations, which are to be balloted on by members of the two Associations in the coming weeks, would benefit new recruits in a number of ways. In particular, the Court has recommended that the rent allowance abolished for new recruits in 2012, be restored and increased by €500 per annum to €4,655. The allowance is to be incorporated into pay which would result in increased unsocial hours and overtime payments. The Labour Court has also recommended the introduction of a premium payment of €15 for every annual leave day to acknowledge the fact that the operation of the administration of justice has the effect of diminishing the certainty of approved annual leave for Gardaí. Paid 15 minute pre-tour briefing/tasking sessions are also recommended by the Court and together with the recommendations referred to above, would benefit all Gardaí, including new recruits.

These recommendations, if accepted, will have a significant positive effect on the remuneration of new recruits and I am sure that all concerned will give them the detailed consideration that they deserve.