Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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163. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a competition will take place for the appointment of three civilian managers for An Garda Síochána which has been promised in recent statements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20144/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has agreed an overall vision for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising of 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This very substantial investment in personnel is driven by our commitment to ensure all citizens have the reassurance of a visible, responsive and effective policing service.

At present, there are approximately 2,000 civilians in the organisation carrying out management, administrative and technical roles. The projected number of 4,000 civilians will effectively double this figure and represents a medium-term target of 20% civilians over the next five years. That will bring An Garda Síochána, currently with 14% civilians, more into line with international norms and ensure that trained police men and women are available for and utilised in operational areas. This will be achieved through (i) a ‘civilian by default’ policy to be adopted in relation to the filling of all new posts other than operational policing posts and for non-operational policing posts that become vacant and (ii) redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties that may be done by suitably qualified civilians where necessary.

Budget 2017 provided funding for the recruitment of up to 500 civilians this year in line with the five-year reform and high level work force plan agreed by the Government in July 2016 to fill critical capacity and skills gaps in the organisation including in the areas of corporate supports, change management, human resources and financial management. Garda management have estimated that some 30% of the civilian appointments made this year will lead to redeployments of trained Gardaí to the frontline.

The three key civilian positions referred to by the Deputy are Executive Director Strategy and Transformation, Executive Director Legal and Compliance and Chief Information Officer. These positions, which are at a level equivalent to Assistant Commissioner, will strengthen the capacity of senior management within An Garda Síochána and play an important role in the governance and modernisation of the organisation over the coming years. I can inform the Deputy that a competition for the position of Executive Director Strategy and Transformation is currently in progress and is being run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The closing date for applications was 20 April 2017. I understand that PAS expects to hold final interviews before the end of this month. I can further inform the Deputy that PAS expects to advertise the position of Executive Director Legal and Compliance within the next two weeks. The job specification for the post of Chief Information Officer is the subject of discussion between Garda management and the Policing Authority which I hope will be concluded very shortly.