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An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Questions (311)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of women currently in An Garda Síochána; the extent to which their numbers have fluctuated over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37095/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration and operation of An Garda Síochána, including matters of personnel and human resources policy. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters, however I fully support the Commissioner and his management team in their efforts to strengthen and diversify An Garda Síochána in all areas.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the total number of women in all ranks of An Garda Síochána as at 31 May 2021, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 4,003 or approximately 27% of the total strength of 14,499. This compares favourably with 3,130 or 21.7% of the total strength on 31 December 2008. While this is broadly in line with police services in England and Wales, for example, there is clearly plenty of scope for improvement. It is to be noted that in the senior leadership of An Garda Síochána, both Deputy Commissioners are women, as are 3 of the 8 Assistant Commissioners.

For the Deputy's information the following table, supplied to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of women in An Garda Síochána over the past five years, as requested by the Deputy:

Year

*2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Number

4,003

3,983

3,863

3,759

3,592

* Figures as at 31 May 2021

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase the diversity within An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Equality, Diversity and Integration (EDI) Strategy sets out 11 strategic goals to be met by the end of 2021 to increase equality, diversity and inclusion within the Garda organisation, including the establishment of governance structures to ensure the strategy’s goals are met.

An EDI Leadership Council, chaired by the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for Strategy, Governance and Performance, and colleagues from across the public sector, including my Department, and academia has been established to oversee this work including addressing the issue of greater diversity and gender balance in recruitment within the Gardaí.

Question No. 312 answered with Question No. 310.
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