Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
746 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí as of 10 July 2008, who are engaged in administrative duties rather than on active policing on the streets; the nature of the duties engaged in by Gardaí involved in desk-bound duties; the number of Gardaí engaged in active policing on the streets on said date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29401/08]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as at 30 June 2008, the closest date to the 10 July for which figures are readily available, was 14,091.
The number of personnel employed in administrative duties was 350 which represents approximately 2.5% of the Force.
An Garda Síochána operate a three relief roster system with three out of four units working in any 24-hour period with the fourth unit resting in the same 24-hour period.
For security and operational reasons it is Garda policy not to disclose the number of personnel on duty at any specific time.
747 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí scheduled to be involved in policing a music festival (details supplied) in 2008; the number involved in policing the festival in 2006 and 2007; the cost of the policing in 2008; the cost borne by the promoters; the cost borne by the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29402/08]
View answerThe following tables show the number of personnel allocated for duty at the concert in question:
|
2006 |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
|
Superintendent |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Inspector |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
Sergeant |
14 |
38 |
38 |
7 |
|
Garda |
74 |
189 |
189 |
50 |
|
2008 |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
|
Superintendent |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Inspector |
4 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
|
Sergeant |
30 |
64 |
63 |
64 |
16 |
|
Garda |
175 |
285 |
284 |
286 |
86 |
An Garda Síochána received payment of €625,000 from the promoters for the provision of policing services at the 2008 festival.
An Garda Síochána does not cost each individual non-public duty event. However, based on previous costings and research undertaken, it is estimated that, on average, the contribution of the event organiser covers approximately 40% of the overall costs incurred.
A detailed analysis and review of the procedures and costs associated with policing non-public duty events is currently being undertaken by An Garda Síochána with a view to introducing a new system of charging for the provision of these services.
748 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí scheduled to be involved in policing a music festival (details supplied) in 2008; the cost of the policing at the festival; the proportion in pecuniary and percentage terms borne by the promoters and by the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29403/08]
View answerThe following table shows the number of personnel allocated for duty at the concert in question:
|
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
|
|
Inspector |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Sergeant |
21 |
21 |
21 |
1 |
|
Garda |
121 |
106 |
102 |
17 |
An Garda Síochána received payment of €116,000 from the promoters for the provision of policing services at the 2008 festival.
An Garda Síochána does not cost each individual non-public duty event. However, based on previous costings and research undertaken, it is estimated that, on average, the contribution of the event organiser covers approximately 40% of the overall costs incurred.
A detailed analysis and review of the procedures and costs associated with policing non-public duty events is currently being undertaken by An Garda Síochána with a view to introducing a new system of charging for the provision of these services.
749 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost involved in the policing of music festivals here in 2007; the proportion of the cost in pecuniary and percentage terms borne by the taxpayer and by the promoters or other interested parties; if he is satisfied that those who receive financial gain from such festivals are contributing a fair amount to their policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29404/08]
View answer750 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of policing All Ireland finals in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and the scheduled cost in 2008; the contribution to the cost in pecuniary and percentage terms made by the Gaelic Athletic Association; if he is satisfied that sufficient contributions are made by the GAA to policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29405/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 749 amd 750 together.
I am informed by the Garda Síochána that organisers of music and sporting events regularly request the services of Gardaí on a non-public duty basis for inside the event location and pay for the cost of such duties.
The cost to event organisers for having members of the Garda Síochána on non-public duty at music festivals during 2007 is as follows:
Cois Farraige, Kilkee: €31,878
Electric Picnic: €103,967
Live at the Marquee, Cork: €35,621
Oxegen: €350,000.
The costs to the Gaelic Athletic Association for having members of the Garda Síochána on non-public duty at sporting events between 2005 and 2007 are as follows:
2005: €101,970
2006: €120,250
2007: €106,126
Costs associated with policing duties performed by Gardaí outside of these events, such as traffic control, beat patrols and other policing duties are paid from public funds. Details of the overall costs associated with each individual non-public duty event and scheduled costs for individual events in 2008 are not readily available. However I am advised by the Garda authorities that based on previous costings and research undertaken it is estimated that the contribution of the event organiser covers approximately 40% of the overall costs incurred on average.
I can also inform the Deputy that a detailed analysis and review of the procedures and costs associated with policing non-public duty events is currently being undertaken by An Garda Síochána with a view to introducing a new system of charging for the provision of these services.
