Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of civilians holding the position of property and exhibits manager in An Garda Síochána; the Garda stations in which the civilians employed as such are based; and if appropriate training has been provided. [30733/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes human resource matters relating to the training, development and deployment of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no direct role in such decisions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that under the Garda workforce modernisation initiative, over 797 Garda members have been released from posts not requiring Garda powers or expertise and their duties reassigned to Garda staff. This has in turn facilitated the redeployment of Garda members to operational duties.
Under this initiative, a number of posts were examined for suitability for assignment to Garda staff, including the property and exhibits management posts. On 27 November 2019, the policy and procedure documentation for the Property and Exhibits Management System part 2 (PEMS 2) was published in a Headquarters Directive and the Garda College commenced training Garda staff in property and exhibits management functions. The first Garda College course commenced in the week beginning 3 February 2020.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 27 staff members recorded as property and exhibits manager officers across the country. For operational reasons the Garda authorities do not disclose the locations of these stores.
