Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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550. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of employing ten new front-line gardaí. [25698/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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 by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that payroll costs for new Garda recruits include a basic allowance of €184 per week. After 32 weeks of training, Garda Recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €29,669 rising to a maximum of €51,693 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments.

I understand that the annual payroll cost of 10 new recruits in their first year including that training period (assuming a commencement date of 1st January each year) is approximately €229,400. This figure includes Employer's PRSI and an estimation of allowances which the recruits may qualify for following attestation. This does not include the impact of any scheduled pay increases. The annual cost will increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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551. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of employing ten new administration staff located within An Garda Síochána. [25699/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, civilian staff are employed within An Garda Síochána at a range of different grades and the Deputy will appreciate that the cost of recruitment is dependent on the mix of grades involved.

I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.