asked the Minister for Justice the measures which have been taken to improve the effectiveness and organisation of the Garda Siochána since July 1977.
Written Answers. - Garda Siochána.
417.
In September 1977 the Government authorised an increase of 500 in the strength of the Garda Siochána. Recruitment of the extra gardai has been proceeding as fast as possible and it is expected that the strength of the force will be close to the new target figure of 9,500 by the end of the year. The question of further increasing the strength will be considered as and when necessary.
Various measures involving reorganisation of the force are either already being implemented or are under consideration with a view to improving Garda administrative efficiency. Following a review of Garda organisation in the Limerick, Clare and Galway area, a new division of Clare was established in July of this year and I approved a consequential re-organisation of the Limerick division. I also approved a number of organisational changes in smaller centres. Earlier this week, the Government approved the establishment of an additional Garda division and district in the Dublin Metropolitan Area and Garda proposals for the re-organisation of Cork division are at present under consideration in my Department.
In addition, other measures aimed specifically at combating crime have been and are being taken. One example is that the strength of the detective branch throughout the entire country is being substantially increased and the extra posts involved are already in process of being filled. Another example is that the concept of specialised units to deal with particular categories of crime is being extended by the setting up of a special task force which will give the gardaí greater capacity to deal with terrorist type crimes. The central detective unit already comprises a number of units specialising in particular types of crime.
All these measures are in addition to steps being taken to provide greater technical and scientific assistance for the Force. Moreover the Deputy will appreciate that in general Garda organisation and operations are kept under constant review with a view to improving effectiveness.
418.
asked the Minister for Justice the present position regarding the report of the management consultants on the Garda Siochana.
The report was finalised only within the past few months and is now being examined by the Garda authorities and by my Department. Because of the important and, indeed, funadmental nature of the matters with which the report is concerned, the process of examination will inevitably take some time to complete. However, it is going ahead as rapidly as possible and, as it proceeds, proposals found to be desirable will be implemented without necessarily waiting for examination of the entire report to be completed. I may add that, as has been indicated previously both by my predecessor and myself, it is not intended to publish the report as this would be contrary to general practice both in the public and private sectors in relation to recommendations of management consultants.