Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2017
66. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personnel in An Garda Síochána who have long-term arrangements with restricted lighter station duties or assignments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25053/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the allocation of all resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that employees of An Garda Síochána are facilitated, when necessary, with accommodations in workplace arrangements following periods of absence, on medical advice. Such accommodations may include adapted patterns of working time and modifications of duties which are afforded to employees to facilitate their reintegration into the workplace.
I am further advised that An Garda Síochána is committed to supporting all employees for medical or recuperative reasons following injury or a period of illness and will continue to afford all reasonable accommodations to employees as deemed necessary in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer.
I am informed that as of 31 March 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the number of Garda members, being facilitated with light duties or restricted hours on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer, was 476. This figure is subject to change on a daily basis.
