asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the discontent at present being expressed by members of the Ban-Gharda with regard to their lack of assigned responsibilities; if it is the policy of the Department not to recruit any further ban-ghardaí; if he will outline the duties to which the Ban-Gharda are at present assigned; and if he will make a statement on the promotional policy for ban-ghardaí.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ban-Ghardaí.
47.
The assignment of duties to particular members or groups of members of the Garda Síochána is a matter for the Commissioner and his officers and I do not intervene in the matter.
I am informed by the Commissioner that he has had no complaints from ban-ghardaí about the responsibilities assigned to them and I would like to place on record that there are ample means, within the machinery available to all members of the force, whereby grievances of any kind may be raised and discussed by the elected representatives of the members.
Since, at any given time, the available financial resources are limited, it is necessary to consider whether the public interest would best be served by an increase in the number of banghardaí or in the number of men in the force. Now that a substantial increase is being made in the number of men, the possibility of some increase in the number of ban-ghardaí will be considered in the fairly near future.
The duties to which ban-gardaí are assigned include juvenile liaison officer work, drug abuse and duties generally connected with offences involving women and children.
As regards promotion policy, I presume that what the Deputy has in mind is promotion to ranks higher than that of sergeant. In this connection I would refer him to paragraph 912 of the Conroy Report which states that:
the question of the promotion of a ban sergeant to Inspector would only arise when the strength of the ban gharda section in the Force justifies a change in the hierarchy of officers.
The promotional opportunities for women in the force will be considered in the event of the strength being significantly increased as a result of the review referred to.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that there should be more than just a possibility of an increase in the number of banghardaí? There will be a real need for such an increase.
The question of an increase is being considered.
Good.