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Garda Deployment.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004

Wednesday, 3 November 2004

Questions (53)

Jerry Cowley

Question:

109 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to desk and other administrative duties in view of the shortage of gardaí on the beat; the type of work they are engaged in; the ages of the gardaí; if the major part of this work can be performed by non-Garda personnel in order that these members be employed at the coalface; if it is more feasible to employ non-members in these positions; if he has the intention of taking up this suggestion; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27083/04]

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Written answers

I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that there are currently 373 Garda personnel employed in administrative posts. I am further informed that the information requested by the Deputy in regard to the ages of the personnel referred to is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.

In 2001, the Government approved the civilianisation of administrative posts throughout the Garda Síochána on a phased basis over a number of years. These included administrative posts in headquarters, branches and in the various offices located in divisions and districts. In addition, the civilianisation programme also provided for the transfer of finance functions from Garda district clerks to civilians and the subsequent upgrading of the new civilian role to staff officer. The filling of these particular posts is now nearing completion.

The position as regards the civilianisation of Garda posts is that it must be rolled out within the confines of the Government decision of 4 December 2002. This decision places a cap on numbers across the public service. My Department is currently reviewing the position with both the Department of Finance and Garda management as to how we will proceed further in the context of the overall constraints of public service numbers.

In relation to Garda resources generally, I am pleased to say that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources. Clearly, however, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into front-line, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.

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