Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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256. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff, broken down by rank, assigned to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in advance of the transition next month to the Office of the Police Ombudsman, Fiosrú, particularly given comments made (details supplied) at the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee in February 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26189/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is the independent body established by law to investigate complaints against members of An Garda Síochána. GSOC is completely independent in the exercise of its functions, and as Minister I have no role in any of GSOC's operations, including all HR matters.

The Government is committed to ensuring that GSOC has the necessary supports and resources in order to fulfil its statutory functions and mandate. This is reflected in Budget 2024 where funding for GSOC increased by €2.9 million to a total of €19.6 million.

I have been advised by GSOC that there are currently a total of 169 staff members. The current staff complement of GSOC is set out below in tabular form, broken down by grade.

I have been further advised by GSOC that the majority of staff are deployed to teams tasked with GSOC’s investigative functions. In addition there are a number of vacancies due to ongoing staff turnover (promotions, mobility, retirements, etc.). Following development of a workforce plan, the focus of recent recruitment has been on filling all posts required for the forthcoming transition to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, on commencement of the Police, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This exercise has now been substantially completed and the current focus is to fill the remaining key positions, as well as filling a number of vacancies arising across the organisation.

All available means are being employed to fill these key posts and GSOC is in ongoing engagement with the Public Appointments Service. It is expected that there will be further appointments in the coming weeks and months.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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257. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí injured in the course of their duties over each of the last five years and for how long each of them were unable to attend work as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26190/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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258. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí broken down by rank who have resigned each month over the last five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26192/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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259. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the standard equipment provided to Gardaí assigned to the public order unit, and to confirm where this is provided to every Garda assigned to this unit; to outline the standard equipment provided to Gardaí who have received public order training but are not currently assigned to the public order unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26193/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.