Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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328. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the transfer of public sector staff who will be placed under the remit of An Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner; if relevant unions are being consulted as part of this process; if all staff will have to agree to this transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5986/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill was approved for publication by Government on 22 November 2022.

The Bill, as part of a suite of proposals to empower the Garda Commissioner as a “true CEO” to lead the organisation and drive change, provides for the Garda Commissioner to recruit Garda staff directly to An Garda Síochána as public servants – they are currently recruited to the Civil Service.

This change is driven by the benefits of a single workforce for An Garda Síochána, as recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). An integrated single workforce will, as identified by CoFPI, enable the different skills and perspectives of Garda members and staff to be leveraged in order to enhance the capacity of the organisation to deliver better policing outcomes. It will promote and foster the idea of a Garda career for all Garda personnel - members and staff of an Garda Síochana.

CoFPI’s report and recommendations were informed by extensive consultations including with trade unions and representative bodies representing members and staff.

It is important to note that the commencement of the legislation will have no automatic effect on the terms and conditions of existing staff who are civil servants – under the Bill their terms and conditions are fully protected and any change in their civil service status is subject to consultations with their trade unions prior to the making of a Ministerial Order altering their status.

The Bill, which is expected to become law this year with commencement in January 2024, sets out clearly that their terms and conditions are fully protected.

At this point in time, officials from my Department have met with union representatives and are now in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as well as Garda management in order to agree next steps with regard to implementing the changes proposed in the Bill in relation to the status of Garda staff. Further meetings have been arranged with my officials, Garda management and relevant unions in the coming weeks.