Vol. 448 No. 7
17 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to claims by Garda Federation representatives that a reduction in overtime was having an effect on crime prevention in parts of Dublin; her response to these claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2544/95]
I too have read of the claims referred to by the Deputy. I want to assure the Deputy that there has not been any reduction in the amount spent on Garda overtime. In 1993, £8.5 million was allocated on the Garda Vote for overtime purposes and £13.5 million was actually spent. Last year £12 million was allocated and £14.5 million was spent on overtime. This represents an increase of almost 10 per cent in actual overtime hours worked in 1994. This year £12.5 million has been allocated for overtime purposes.
Almost £1 million has already been spent on overtime in the month of January this year compared with £664,000 in 1994. Clearly there has been no reduction in expenditure on overtime and these figures speak for themselves.
The Deputy has indicated his concern about parts of Dublin without being specific. In the DMA South Central Division — which will be of particular interest to the Deputy — the amount spent on overtime last year compared to 1993 rose by almost £147,000 from £1,440,380 to £1,586,924. Indeed, the amount spent on overtime last year in the DMA as a whole was £7.2 million, compared with £6.3 million in 1993 — an increase of almost £900,000.
