David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the yearly wage cost of a whole-time digital forensic specialist. [38678/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There has been an unprecedented level of investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years. The budgetary allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 amounts to €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in Garda ICT, the Garda fleet and the Garda estate. In total, the Garda capital allocation has increased from €61 million to €92 million in 2019, which represents a 50% increase.

I would also point out that An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. We currently have over 14,200 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 2,700 Garda staff. As part of the Government’s plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, there is ongoing and increased recruitment both of new Gardaí as well as Garda staff, allowing for redeployment of Gardaí to operational duties at the front-line.

This continuing investment in people and capital demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and Garda staff. The Commissioner is also responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, in light of identified operational demands.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have not yet reached the point of recruiting digital forensic specialists for An Garda Síochána. As such, I am informed that it is not possible to quantify the costs which might arise in relation to any such possible future post.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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198. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the yearly wage cost of a whole-time Garda Síochána detective sergeant. [38688/19]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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199. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the yearly wage cost of a whole-time Garda Síochána detective. [38689/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.

There has been an unprecedented level of investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years. The budgetary allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 amounts to €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in Garda ICT, the Garda fleet and the Garda estate. In total, the Garda capital allocation has increased from €61 million to €92 million in 2019, which represents a 50% increase.

And I would also point out that An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. We currently have over 14,200 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 2,700 Garda staff. And as part of the Government’s plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, there is ongoing and increased recruitment both of new Gardaí as well as Garda staff, allowing for redeployment of Gardaí to operational duties at the front-line.

This continuing investment in people and capital supports the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and Garda staff. The Commissioner is also responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, in light of identified operational demands.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current yearly wage cost of a whole-time Garda Síochána Detective Sergeant is €70,391. I am further informed that the current yearly wage cost of a whole-time Garda Síochána Detective Garda is €59,822. I am informed that these salary costs have been calculated using the midpoint of the current (September 2019) Garda Salary scale and include fixed allowances to which members are entitled. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI at a rate of 10.95% is also included in the estimated cost. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included in this estimate.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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200. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the yearly wage cost of a whole-time forensic accountant. [38690/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in Garda ICT, the Garda fleet and the Garda estate. In total, the Garda capital allocation has increased from €61 million to €92 million in 2019, which represents a 50% increase.

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and Garda staff. The Commissioner is also responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current (September 2019) yearly wage cost of a whole-time forensic accountant is €68,827. This estimated costing assumes that forensic accountants are placed on the first point of the relevant salary scale. Employer’s PRSI is included in the estimate at a rate of 10.95%.