Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of promotions at all levels in An Garda Síochána made in the past 12 months; the number of vacancies still to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33491/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware the Policing Authority assumed responsibility for appointments to the senior ranks of Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Garda Commissioner with the commencement of the remaining provisions of the Garda Síochána (Policing Services and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 and related Regulations on 1 January 2017.

Prior to this, appointments to the senior ranks where made by the Government at the request of the Garda Commissioner. The Government made 39 appointments to the senior ranks of An Garda Síochána from 30 June 2016 to the 31 December 2016 as follows: 1 to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, 13 to the rank of Chief Superintendent and 25 to the rank of Superintendent. These appointments were to fill vacancies that had arisen and were within the agreed strength of the Employment Control Framework (ECF).

The Chairperson of the Policing Authority has written to me to advise that the Authority has recently completed a selection competition for appointment to the rank of Chief Superintendent in the Garda Síochána. In accordance with the regulations the Authority established a panel of 15 candidates in the order of merit determined by the Selection Board. Appointments will be made from this panel subject to the Authority’s clearance process for candidates.

This is the second selection competition undertaken and completed by the Authority since their functions in relation to senior Garda appointments were commenced on 1 January 2017. I understand that a competition for the rank of Superintendent is also underway and due to be completed by the end of July, that appointments have already been made to 3 positions at Assistant Commissioner rank and that the clearance process is underway with a view to making Chief Superintendent appointments in the coming weeks.

Appointments to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Garda Commissioner under section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005. Information in relation to the number of promotions to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector has been requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will forward this information directly to the Deputy when it is to hand.

For the Deputy's information I have set out below the number of vacancies in the ranks of An Garda Síochána having regard to the approved ECFs for each rank as provided by the Commissioner.

Vacancies in the ranks of An Garda Síochána - 31 May 2017