Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1201. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if the An Garda Síochána expert review group on recruit education and entry pathways and learning and development is accepting submissions; the mechanism by which submissions can be made; when the group expects to submit its report to the Garda Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14156/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Expert Review Group on Recruit Education, Entry Pathways and Learning and Development commenced work in early Autumn 2020. Several meetings of the Group itself and two subgroups have been held, during which the full scope of the work of the group has been explored, the timeline for completion of the task agreed, and background work undertaken by a technical support team under the Chairperson, Dr Richard Thorn.
In early 2021, meetings of the Group were suspended due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, work on gathering background data and the preparation of position papers has continued and it is intended to resume the work with the Group, in a modified format, within the next two weeks.
The Deputy will recall that the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing was published in 2018 following significant consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including public representatives, government officials, academics in Ireland and abroad, Garda members of all ranks, and Garda staff. Its recommendations were accepted by Government in December 2018, including the establishment of an Expert Review Group to bring forward recommendations made in relation to recruit education and entry routes and pathways into An Garda Síochána, and in the area of learning and development within An Garda Síochána.
I am informed that, in line with their role as outlined in the Terms of Reference, the Expert Review Group is considering submissions made to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Communication has taken place with the Garda Representative Associations and Unions with regards to their submissions. I am further informed that the Expert Review Group is only considering submissions as made to the Commission on Future of Policing in Ireland and is not currently accepting submissions.
The Expert Review Group report will be provided to the Commissioner towards the end of 2021.
