John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the three vacancies in the Garda internal audit unit have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30326/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

The question of additional resources for the Garda Internal Audit Section is a matter in the first instance for the Commissioner and then the Policing Authority which has a role under section 19 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in determining the number of civilian staff in An Garda Síochána and also in appointing senior civilian staff, subject to the consent of the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

I understand that the Commissioner has developed proposals to fill existing vacancies and to increase the number of civilians assigned to the Garda Internal Audit Section to enhance the capacity of the unit to perform its role in providing assurance to the Commissioner, as Accounting Officer. These proposals are currently being considered by the Policing Authority. I can assure you that my Department will be positively disposed towards any such proposals.

Budget 2017 provided funding for the recruitment of up to 500 civilians to An Garda Síochána in line with the Five-year Reform and High Level Work-force Plan agreed by the Government in July 2016 to fill the critical capacity and skills gaps in the organisation and any additional personnel resources for the Garda Internal Audit Section can be encompassed within this.