Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if some of the 500 civilian staff who will support the redeployment of gardaí to front-line policing in 2018 will be prioritised for rural areas in which Garda stations have been closed in view of the commitment to same in the expenditure report 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51709/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who 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. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, is carrying out a review of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities. The Authority has informed the Inspectorate that the review should take account of:

- the changing environments in rural, developing urban and suburban areas;

- the views of local communities;

- the allocation to and deployment of Garda resources at the local policing level, including the use of the Garda Reserve, Garda facilities and Garda equipment; and

- relevant recommendations made in previous Inspectorate reports.

The review will be comprehensive including a consultative process with local communities. It is the view of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate that the review should be completed within the first half of 2018.

There is also currently an extensive programme of reform underway affecting all aspects of the administration and operation of An Garda Síochána. 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 20% 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. The Garda Inspectorate has estimated that approximately 1,500 Gardaí may be suitable for re-deployment 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 a redeployment plan with the first batch of 43 Gardaí to be redeployed already 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, Budget 2018 will facilitate the recruitment of an additional 500 civilians next year to continue to support the civilianisation agenda.

I am confident that the reform plan, including greater civilianisation that is being pursued by An Garda Síochána, supported by the Government and overseen by the Policing Authority, has the capacity to deliver a first class, modern policing service for the 21st Century.  It will not be done overnight but as I have made clear, the implementation of the ambitious reform programme, including civilianisation, must continue and, indeed, must move at a greater pace, to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland.