John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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533. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been injured in the line of duty; the number of injuries and types of injuries in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25461/18]

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

I know the Deputy will agree that we should never underestimate the difficulties and dangers the men and women of An Garda Síochána face on our behalf and the courage required to face down criminals in dangerous circumstances. The Government is committed to supporting the work of An Garda Síochána and to ensuring that the organisation is properly resourced to carry out its important role in protecting our communities.

An Garda Síochána has both an Occupational Health Service and an Employee Assistance Service.

The Garda Occupational Health Service (GOHS) is staffed by a team of specialist occupational healthcare professionals supported by an administration team. The Service is dedicated to supporting the employees of An Garda Síochána to maintain their health and well-being in order to carry out their duties safely and effectively.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to a traumatic incident or injured on duty receive the appropriate organisational response and with this in mind the Garda Employee Assistance Service provides a confidential professional support and referral service to both serving and former members of An Garda Síochána, students and their immediate families.

I am advised that an Independent Counselling Service was introduced in An Garda Síochána on 24June 2016 which provides counselling on a wide range of work and personal related issues including critical incidents, and trauma. The service is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year and provides employees with immediate support from accredited counsellors over the phone and if required follow on counselling sessions in person.

For the Deputy’s information I have set out in the following table, as advised by the Commissioner, the specific information requested in relation to the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been injured in the line of duty from 2016 to 2018 as of 07 June 2018.

Number of Gardaí injured and cause of injury 2016- 2018 (as of 07/06/18)