Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 128, 129, 130, 131 and 132 together.

A Policing Service for our Futureis the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Plan has four distinct phases as follows:

·Building Blocks

·Launching

·Scaling

·Consolidation

Further information on these phases and progress made with regard to them is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/e5d2a-apsff-plans-and-annual-reports/.

Work on policing reform has been overseen by a dedicated Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach which works continuously rather than convening on particular occasions.

In addition, as recommended by COPFI, an Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR) has been established which has collective responsibility for delivery of the Plan.

This group has met on twelve occasions over 2022 and 2023 on the following dates: 26 January 2022, 8 June 2022, 26 July 2022, 27 September 2022, 26 October 2022, 5 December 2022, 9 February 2023, 29 March 2023, 27 April 2023, 19 June 2023, 26 July 2023 and 14 September 2023.

The High-Level Steering Board on Policing Reform (HLSB), chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, provides support and guidance for the work of the IGPR. It has met on two occasions during 2022 and 2023: 23 February 2022 and 18 January 2023.

The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services and has most recently considered the police reform programme at its meeting on 25 October 2022. The Committee will be updated on the final phase of the programme later this year and on arrangement for the transition to the new statutory oversight and governance framework set out in the Policing, Security and Community Safety (PSCS) Bill.

A final report on the Consolidation phase is expected later this year as the programme draws to a conclusion and transitions to the new statutory oversight and governance framework set out in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill.

It is anticipated that this report will not only provide an overview of the progress made during the distinct consolidation phase but will also provide a more general assessment of level of overall progress as measured against the original COPFI recommendations and whether there are any outstanding major reform issues which should continue to be monitored and progressed under the new governance arrangements that are to be introduced under the PSCS Bill next year.