Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
622 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí in the Cavan and Monaghan division currently engaged in duties that could be undertaken by civilians; if he has satisfied himself that this is good use of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26481/06]
View answerThere are 19 civilian staff currently employed in the Cavan/Monaghan Division. There are also three members of An Garda Síochána in receipt of an Ex-Gratia allowance to perform clerical duties who could be released to policing duties if civilian staff were available.
However, as the Deputy will be aware, progress in relation to the appointment of additional Clerical Officers to Garda Stations has been stalled for some time now due to the Equal Pay cases taken by the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU). I am pleased to say that other elements of the Civilianisation Programme are continuing apace and are contributing to the freeing-up of Gardaí for front-line policing. I would refer the Deputy in particular, to the establishment of the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) in Castlebar. Whereas previously Gardaí had to return to their Stations following a crime event to enter data on PULSE, they now make a call to GISC, where civilian colleagues input the data for them, allowing officers to remain "on the beat". This new system, which has been rolled out in the Southern Region, South-Eastern Region and parts of the Dublin Metropolitan region will be fully operational nationwide this Autumn.
