Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Uniforms.

Ivor Callely

Question:

86 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if there have been any noticeable problems experienced with the cloth purchased for the Garda uniform; if so, the problems experienced with the cloth; the extent to which shrinkage of the material, No. 86, is causing problems; the total moneys spent on material, badges, buttons and other requirements for the Garda uniform for each of the years from 1994 to 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11073/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I have received no indication from the Garda that there is any problem with the cloth purchased for the Garda uniform. If the Deputy has received complaints or comments from individual gardaí, perhaps he would let me have copies of such comments so I can investigate them.

Ivor Callely

Question:

87 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the total cost of prison wardens' and officers' uniforms for each of the years from 1994 to 1996; the contents in the issue of a uniform; the cost per item; the feedback, if any, there has been on each item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11074/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The total cost of prison officers' uniforms for the past three years is as follows: 1994, £382,582.13; 1995, £573,126.99; 1996, £755,552.52.

The male uniform consists of a cap, tunic, jumper, shirt, epaulettes, tie, trousers, gloves, whistle and chain, patrol suit and shoes. The female uniform consists of a cap, tunic, jumper, shirt, epaulettes, skirt/trousers, tie, tights, gloves, whistle and chain, shoes and patrol suit.

I do not consider that it would be appropriate to give a breakdown of the cost of individual uniform items. I am sure the Deputy is aware that this is commercially sensitive information and that to provide such detailed information could have a detrimental impact on future tender competitions for the supply of uniforms to the Prison Service.

A new prison service uniform has been introduced in recent years following an extensive consultation process between my Department, the Government Supplies Agency and staff representatives.This ongoing process has also acted to ensure that uniform items are of high standard and meet the requirements for which they are designed. The new prison uniform and its distribution also accounts for the increase in figures from 1994 as in 1994 stocks were being run down pending the introduction of the new uniforms.

Ivor Callely

Question:

88 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the total number of new Garda recruits who may be issued with Garda cap in 1997. [11075/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The current recruitment competition covers the period to 31 December 1997. A total of 600 trainees are scheduled to be admitted to the Garda College in four quarterly intakes this year. I am informed by the Garda authorities that each of these gardaí will be issued with two Garda caps as part of their basic uniform kit and that student gardaí are issued with a third cap on completion of Phase 3 of the training programme. I understand that 337 student gardaí are expected to complete Phase 3 of their training during 1997 giving a total of 1,537 caps approximately in 1997.

Ivor Callely

Question:

89 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the total amount of material for traffic warden uniforms in stock; the number of uniforms on average which could be made from such stock; the number of uniforms issued to date in 1997; if she will give details of the quality of traffic warden material; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11076/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. I have been in touch with the Garda authorities in the matter and the details are being compiled.

Ivor Callely

Question:

90 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the cost of uniforms issued by her Department or authorities under the aegis of her Department for each of the years from 1994 to 1996; if she will give a breakdown of such costs; the level, volume and value of stock in store; if she will give details of the quality of materials used; the feedback, if any, there has been on the comfort and benefit to the users of the uniforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11099/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

In so far as my Department is concerned, the uniforms referred to by the Deputy relate to those worn by the Garda Síochána, prison officers, traffic wardens, services officers, court criers, court ushers and porter. As regards the Garda Síochána and traffic wardens, the information sought cannot be compiled in the time available.

In relation to prison officers' uniforms, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 87. Due to time constraints, it is not possible to provide the value of stock on hands for such uniforms.

Services officers' uniforms are supplied by the Government Supplies Agency of the Office of Public Works. The gowns for ushers and criers and the uniform for the hall porter, Four Courts, are supplied directly by a commercial firm. My Department does not maintain stocks of gowns or uniforms or details of materials used. No complaints have been received about the quality of the uniforms supplied.

The breakdown of the costs of this group is set out in the following tabular statement.

	1994	1995	1996
	£	£	£
Services Officers	2,937	3,766	4,343
Court Criers	370	Nil	1,873
Court Ushers	Nil	494	581
Hall Porter (Four Courts)	Nil	Nil	711