Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 April 2017
82. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when revised implementation updates for all Garda Síochána Inspectorate reports will be made available; the reason no such updates have been published since 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17219/17]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Inspectorate was established in July, 2006 under Part 5 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The role of the Inspectorate is to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána. The Inspectorate undertakes analysis of policies and procedures in the Garda Síochána and benchmarks them against the best practices and standards of comparable police services. To date, the Inspectorate has completed 11 reports. Their two most recent reports were the Crime Investigation report (2014) and the"Changing Policing in Ireland" report (2015).
The Garda Inspectorate has no statutory responsibility for the monitoring of the implementation of recommendations made in its reports. However, a process to do so was established with the Garda Síochána in 2008 which resulted in the publication of status implementation update reports twice a year on the Inspectorate’s website. The last such regular update was published in November 2013 when, I understand, the process was interrupted due to pressure of work.
However, the Inspectorate and the Garda Síochána are now working towards the production, in tabular form, of a document which will indicate the position regarding the implementation of recommendations contained in a number of Inspectorate reports up to and including the Crime Investigation report. Once completed, the results will be published on the Inspectorate’s website. As the time frame for the conclusion of this work is not clear, my Department has asked for quarterly updates as to the progress in relation to this matter.
It should be noted that the statutory position regarding the monitoring of the implementation of recommendations made in Inspectorate reports has changed. Section 117(A) of the Garda Síochána Act provides for a role for the Policing Authority in monitoring the measures taken by the Garda Síochána to implement the recommendations contained in reports prepared by the Inspectorate.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner published her Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 in June 2016. This Programme includes recommendations from the various Garda Inspectorate Reports, including the two most recent Inspectorate Reports referred to above. Key reforms being implemented include the replacement of the current District model of policing with a Divisional model where responsibilities will be allocated on a functional rather than geographical basis. This will be subject to modifications to ensure the close relationship with communities is maintained in large rural Divisions. In line with international norms, a medium term target of 20% civilians to be achieved by 2021 has been set.
The implementation of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme is primarily a matter for the Commissioner. However, the Government decided that the Policing Authority should be requested to monitor the implementation of the agreed recommendations in 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and to report to me at regular intervals. I have received the first such progress report from the Policing Authority. Their next progress report is due by the end of April.
In July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána. This Plan marries the agreed recommendations in 'Changing Policing in Ireland' with a major investment programme that will increase the number of gardaí to 15,000; double the number of civilians to 4,000; and more than double the number of reserves members to 2,000. This investment in human capital is supported by a €300 million capital plan that will deliver leading-edge technology and other capital infrastructure to the Garda Síochána. The 2017 Estimates reflect this commitment by providing the resources to recruit 800 gardaí, 500 civilians and 300 reserves in 2017.
The Deputy will be aware that at the Government meeting earlier this week I received approval to begin the process of establishing a Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. I expect that the Commission will have regard to appropriate structures for oversight and accountability of the Garda Síochána.
