Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason An Garda Síochána is advertising internally for one sergeant and two gardaí for the penalty point office; if the policy of placing gardaí on policing duty and away from administration has changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42594/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the arranging of competitions at the ranks of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. 

As part of its Five Year Reform and High-level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána, the Government has agreed an overall vision for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 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. The projected number of 4,000 civilians will effectively double the current figure and represents a medium-term target of a Garda organisation 20% comprised of civilians. That will bring An Garda Síochána, currently 14% comprised of civilians, more in 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.

The 20% target will be achieved through a twin-track approach of, firstly, 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, secondly, the redeployment of Gardaí and backfilling by suitably qualified civilians where necessary. In its 'Changing Policing in Ireland' report, the Garda Inspectorate has estimated that there may be up to 1,250 Gardaí currently in such posts and the Government’s plan aims to return as many of these Gardaí as possible to front-line duties over the next five years. Work is in train on the development of redeployment plan and the first batch of 43 Gardaí to be redeployed have been identified with a further 120 in the process of being identified.

Funding for the recruitment of up to 500 civilians was provided in Budget 2017 to facilitate the Commissioner in addressing capacity and critical skills gaps across the organisation including in corporate supports, change management, human resources and financial management at the national, regional and Divisional level. These appointments are intended to facilitate deeper civilianisation in the coming years. In addition, I am pleased to announce that Budget 2018 will facilitate the recruitment of an additional 500 civilians next year to continue to support the civilianisation agenda.

I have requested a report from the Commissioner in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy and I will revert to the him when it is to hand.