Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the full year cost of providing an extra 2,000 civilian staff in An Garda Síochána. [11628/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of approximately 300 Garda Reserves.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are currently in the region of 2,000 civilians undertaking administrative and technical duties within An Garda Síochána. Increasing the number of civilians in An Garda Síochána by 2,000 to 4,000 civilians will effectively double this figure and represents a medium term target of 20% civilians by 2021. This will bring An Garda Síochána, currently with 14% civilians, more into line with international norms and ensure that trained Gardaí are not engaging in administrative and technical duties which could be done by suitably qualified civilian staff. I have requested the Garda Commissioner, in conjunction with the Policing Authority, to prepare a 5 year plan to achieve this 20% target by way of a twin-track approach (i) a civilian by default policy and (ii) the redeployment of Gardaí to operational policing posts and backfilling by suitably qualified civilians where necessary. The "civilian by default" policy refers to a policy where all new posts, other than operational policing posts, and non-operational policing posts that become vacant, are to be filled by suitably qualified civilian staff.

I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the estimated cost of an additional 2,000 civilians is €86 million including 20% administration costs and employer’s PRSI on a full year basis. This estimated cost is contingent on the make up of the civilian staff profile in the 5 year plan currently in development and in particular on the qualifications and skills required on the part of civilians to backfill posts occupied by redeployed Gardaí.