Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Act, the Commissioner is also the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, and the distribution of funds to operational units from the Vote is a matter for the Commissioner. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the estimated cost of providing one crime prevention officer is approximately €82,000 per annum. This includes the estimated cost of salary, fixed allowances, employer’s PRSI, technology equipment and licensing.

I am further advised that salary costs are estimated using the midpoint of the current Garda Sergeant salary scale. There may be additional costs for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included. Future pension costs are also not included.

I am informed that there is no cost breakdown available for specific administrative support costs for crime prevention officers.

I am also informed that, generally, crime prevention officers may require support material when engaging with groups and members of the public such as leaflets/reading material and merchandise with regard to ongoing campaigns or community engagement, for example Bloom, the National Ploughing Championships and various days of action. The costs for such material is not included in the estimate provided above.

Crime prevention officers also receive data analysis support from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS), with the level of input varying on a case by case basis, and such costs are also not included above.