Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of all Garda reform programmes; the extent to which each has been rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53336/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government approved a major Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána in July 2016 based on the implementation of the Garda Inspectorate’s recommendations contained in its report "Changing Policing in Ireland" in tandem with the delivery of the Government’s commitments in relation to increasing the overall Garda workforce. The Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 will be the vehicle through which the agreed recommendations of the Inspectorate Report, the bulk of which have been accepted, will be implemented.  The Modernisation and Renewal Programme draws on over 40 previous reports into An Garda Síochána including from the Garda Inspectorate. It also draws on the views of the Garda workforce as well as the public. It is an ambitious five year programme designed to effectively modernise and reform An Garda Síochána.

The Policing Authority, at the request of my predecessor is performing an important task in overseeing this process and in supporting the Gardaí in implementing the reform agenda. It is required to report to me, as Minister, on a quarterly basis. To date it has submitted three reports which have been published on my Department's website at www.justice.ie. I would refer the Deputy to the Authority's third progress report for a comprehensive assessment of  progress on the implementation of the recommendations. The report notes welcome progress in a number of areas including:

- significant progress in the work of the Garda Victims' Services Offices,

- the establishment of four Protective Services Units on a pilot basis,

- the completion of the Garda Deployment Survey,

- positive progress in the development and implementation of the Divisional/functional model of policing,

- progress on ICT projects,

- the Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation has taken up his post,

- good progress on the implementation of improved risk management.

As the report makes clear, however, improvements are required in respect of the governance of the reform programme and the pace of implementation.

I have made it clear to the Commissioner that the concerns highlighted by the Authority must be addressed and the reform programme accelerated to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland. To support An Garda Síochána in addressing the concerns highlighted by the Authority a structured process of engagement is in place between my Department and An Garda Síochána to identify and agree corrective actions. This engagement includes formal monthly meetings at senior official level with the responsible Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Administrative Officer and the recently appointed Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation of An Garda Síochána.

The progress report highlights the critical importance of the Policing Authority's role in delivering the full implementation of the reform agenda. It brings a capacity to engage intensively with An Garda Síochána and maintain a sustained focus on what is actually being done and what is being achieved on the ground. Its reports reflect this rigorous approach and provide a very solid basis for engagement between my Department and An Garda Síochána in relation to the programme.

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