Garda Promotions

Tuesday, 16 October 2018

Questions (297)

John McGuinness

Question:

297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of candidates who failed to progress in the past two garda to sergeant competitions who had the decision reviewed and-or appealed; and the number of these decisions overturned on review. [42009/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Appointment to the rank of Sergeant is a matter for the Garda Commissioner under section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am advised by the Commissioner that a competition recently concluded for promotion to the rank of Sergeant with the aim of bringing the number of Sergeants up to the full strength as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. In that regard I am pleased that Budget 2019 provides funding for an increase in the strength of the Sergeant rank of 110 to 2,110 under the ECF. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions will be fully considered when assigning successful candidates from this competition.

I have sought the specific information requested by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

I refer to parliamentary question No. 297 for answer on Tuesday, 16 October 2018. At the time I responded that I would request the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and that I would respond directly to the Deputy on receipt of same.

As previously advised appointment to the rank of Sergeant is a matter for the Garda Commissioner under Section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Commissioner is responsible for holding competitions for promotion to this rank in accordance with the Garda Síochána Promotion Regulations 2006 as amended.

I am informed by the Commissioner that all internal promotion competitions are held in compliance with Commission for Public Service Appointments Code of Practice-Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service. The Code sets out in Section 7, the procedures where a candidate wishes to have an action or decision made in relation to their candidature reviewed.

I am advised by the Commissioner that the specific information requested by the Deputy is as set out in the following table.

Sergeant Competition	2014	2017
Number of applicants	1072	1407
Successful applicants at Regional Stage	537	594
Unsuccessful applicants at Regional Stage	535	813
Successful applicants at Central Stage	275	425
Unsuccessful applicants at Central Stage	262	169
Candidates who sought a review of a decision or action under the CPSA Code of Practice	8	67
Decisions overturned following review	0	0

I hope this information is of assistance.