Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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394. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of providing seven new crime prevention officers per annum, including all associated costs such as administrative and technological support. [46467/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the estimated cost of providing one Crime Prevention Officer is approximately €82,000 per annum. As such, the estimated cost of providing seven new crime prevention officers per annum is €574,000. 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 Festival, the National Ploughing Championships, and various other days of action. The costs for such material are 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.