Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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591. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if senior Garda officers have indicated that they will not carry out investigations on behalf of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission as part of a protest which will also impact on the implementation of planned policing reforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37995/21]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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592. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if it is planned to implement a 25% increase in the availability allowance for Garda superintendents which was recommended as part of a review in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37996/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of the Garda organisation including the allocation of resources and deployment of personnel.   I understand that the Commissioner has recently responded to correspondence from the associations representing Garda Superintendents and Chief Superintendents concerning the availability allowance paid to both ranks and related matters.  

I can further inform the Deputy that the Workplace Relations Commission is currently hosting conciliation talks on this issue between the Garda associations and the management side. Efforts are ongoing to arrive at a solution that will be agreeable to all parties.

In particular, there has been extensive engagement on the review of the availability allowance.  Officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Garda Management hope shortly to present proposals to all parties via the Workplace Relations Commission.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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593. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department plans to amend the misuse of drugs regulations to provide clarity and legal certainty to civilian property exhibit management system roles in An Garda Síochána nationally with regard to their ability to control drugs or firearms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38022/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including human resource matters such as the training and deployment of Garda members and staff. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters. 

I am informed by the Garda authorities that under the Garda workforce modernisation initiative, a number of posts were examined for suitability for assignment to Garda staff, including the property and exhibits management (PEMS) posts.   Assignment of Garda staff to roles in respect of PEMS is continuing, and my Department will continue to work with the Garda authorities in respect of any issues arising.