John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps An Garda Síochána has taken at senior level to encourage a multi-cultural force reflecting the different cultural strands in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15158/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, and I, as Minister, have no direct involvement in the matter.

The Commissioner has assured me that a concerted effort is being made to encourage women and minority communities to consider a career in An Garda Síochána so that the membership of An Garda Síochána will reflect the community that it serves. Recent recruitment campaigns made a significant effort through on line videos and other media to attract candidates from minority communities and diverse  social groups.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total number of women in all ranks of An Garda Síochána as of the 28 February 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 3,584 or 26.5% of the total strength. This compares favourably with the number on 31 December 2008 which was 3,130 or 22% of the total strength and is broadly in line with other police services in England and Wales.

I am assured that Commissioner recognises the importance of recruiting into An Garda Síochána from a wide cross section of the population so that the organisation provides a Policing Service that reflects the growing diversity of Irish Society. The Commissioner’s  Policing Plan 2018 commits to the development of a positive action plan to attract and recruit applicants from minority and diverse groups and to review barriers or disincentives to entry to An Garda Síochána and to examine ways in which applications from diverse minority communities for entry into An Garda Síochána can be increased.

The Deputy may also be aware that the Commission on the Future of Policing - established by the Government - as part of its Terms of Reference are examining the composition, recruitment and training of personnel to ensure that the personnel in the organisation reflect the diversity of Irish society. The Commission is due to report in September 2018.