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Garda Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Questions (7)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

7. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach the status of the roll-out of A Policing Service for the Future programme. [10305/21]

View answer

Written answers

A Policing Service for our Future (APSFF) – the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland – is a living document which is reviewed and updated, as required, to maintain ambitious but realistic commitments, timeframes and milestones.

The Policing Reform Implementation Programme Office (PRIPO) – which is based in the Department of the Taoiseach – monitors progress on APSFF, supports the work of the Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR), and keeps the High-Level Steering Board on Policing Reform and Government apprised of progress being made.

A Policing Service for our Future is broken down in to four stages of implementation, namely:

1. The Building Blocks Phase (6 months’ duration);

2. The Launching Phase (6 months’ duration);

3. The Scaling Phase (18 months’ duration); and

4. The Consolidation Phase (12 – 18 months’ duration currently envisaged).

The first two phases of A Policing Service for our Future (the Building Blocks and Launching Phases) have been completed and much has already been achieved. For example:

- The roll-out of a new Operating Model for An Garda Síochána, designed to streamline Garda administration and to provide a more visible, responsive and localised policing service to communities nationwide;

- An Garda Síochána has established and strengthened resourcing of a Human Rights Unit and re-established the Strategic Human Rights Advisory Committee;

- The National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC) has been established; and

- The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019 has been enacted which gives Gardaí access to the Workplace Relations Commission for the first time and provides for a modern industrial relations framework within An Garda Síochána.

There has also been progress on legislative reform, in particular, legislation is being drafted relating to:

- the use of recording devices (including body worn cameras);

- the codification of legislation defining police powers of arrest, search and detention; and

- a new coherent framework for the governance and oversight of An Garda Síochána.

These measures and achievements represent only some of the wide range of actions being progressed under APSFF.

Progress since early 2020 has been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The third phase of the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future – the Scaling Phase – was originally scheduled to commence in early 2020. However, as the Scaling Phase was being finalised, COVID-19 and the response required, became a factor to be considered.

I have been encouraged to see the responsiveness and flexibility shown by An Garda Síochána in dealing with the demands of this unprecedented situation.

The third phase of A Policing Service for our Future – the Scaling Phase – commenced in October 2020. This is the critical phase of the programme of reform, during which the programme gains momentum. The delivery of the majority of the actions will be started or executed during the Scaling Phase.

The IGPR and PRIPO have been, and continue to be, actively engaged with key stakeholders to ensure continued momentum on reform, in so far as possible, in current circumstances.

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