Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016
124. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to fill Garda vacancies at the rank of sergeant and inspector; the number of promotions to the rank of sergeant and inspector that were made in 2015 and to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37532/16]
View answerAppointments to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Garda Commissioner under section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am informed by the Commissioner that in the period 1 January 2015 to 25 November 2016, 275 Garda were promoted to the rank of Garda Sergeant and 102 Sergeants were promoted to the rank of Inspector. These appointments were made in accordance with the statutory framework as set out in the 2005 Act and related regulations. In particular, the appointees were drawn in order of merit from promotion panels formed on foot of competitions held by the Commissioner in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006. I understand that these promotion panels are now exhausted and that the Commissioner intends to announce new competitions for promotion to the rank of Garda Sergeant and Inspector shortly.
