Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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268. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the accuracy of reports that overtime has been cancelled for gardaí serving in Garda districts in County Donegal is correct. [37074/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and as such is responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources at his disposal, in accordance with operational need. Those resources have reached unprecedented levels with a provision for 2018 of more than €1.6 billion, including an allocation of almost €100 million for overtime.

Under the governance and oversight arrangements in place between my Department and An Garda Síochána, the evolution of expenditure is kept under constant review and I have already discussed the financial position with Commissioner Harris. We are agreed that it is essential that value for money is achieved with the resources at his disposal and insofar as the emerging overrun in 2018 is concerned, he will be working with his senior management team to identify any measures that can be taken to ameliorate the situation.

Concerning overtime in particular, I understand from the Garda authorities that a comprehensive review of Garda overtime commenced this month. I further understand that it is intended for the review to identify a range of measures to prioritise, target and control overtime to ensure that Garda resources are used in the most efficient and effective way possible and having regard to operational needs.

My Department will, of course, continue to engage with Garda management on the issue over the remainder of the year.