John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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297. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of candidates who failed to progress in the past two garda to sergeant competitions who had the decision reviewed and-or appealed; and the number of these decisions overturned on review. [42009/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Appointment to the rank of Sergeant is a matter for the Garda Commissioner under section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am advised by the Commissioner that a competition recently concluded for promotion to the rank of Sergeant with the aim of bringing the number of Sergeants up to the full strength as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. In that regard I am pleased that Budget 2019 provides funding for an increase in the strength of the Sergeant rank of 110 to 2,110 under the ECF. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions will be fully considered when assigning successful candidates from this competition.

I have sought the specific information requested by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.