Pa Daly
Question:190. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the approximate current cost of recruiting 1,500 Garda civilian staff. [33800/21]
View answerWednesday, 23 June 2021
Questions (190)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including human resource matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 May 2021, there are over 3,100 Garda staff undertaking administrative, professional, technical and industrial support duties in the organisation.
I am informed that such staff positions range from clerical support to senior management roles, including specialised roles in HR, IT and telecommunications, as well as finance and procurement, internal audit, communications, research and analysis, accommodation, scene-of-crime support and legal and medical services. Large numbers of Garda staff also work in key operational areas including the Central Vetting Bureau, the Information Service Centre, the Fixed Charge Processing Office and the Command and Control Centre.
Bearing in mind this broad range of duties, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the cost of recruiting 1,500 additional Garda Staff is approximately €67,500,000. This was calculated by using an estimated cost per employee of €45,000, which includes employer costs such as PRSI.
It should be noted that these estimated figures do not take into account the considerable additional costs that would be incurred in respect of consequential overheads such as accommodation, ICT and overtime.