Bernard Durkan
Question:279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number and rank of promotions awaiting to be filled in an Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51942/21]
View answerThursday, 21 October 2021
Questions (279)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management and administration of Garda business.
Promotion and appointment to certain ranks within An Garda Síochána is under the Commissioner's remit under the Garda Síochána (Appointment to the Ranks of Inspector and Sergeant) Regulations 2021.
Promotion and appointment to the ranks of Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and fall under the remit of the Policing Authority. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
Appointment to the ranks of Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner are also governed by the Act and require the approval of Government.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 30 September 2021 (the latest date for when information is available), the number of vacancies in An Garda Síochána at the ranks in question is indicated in the table below:
|
RANK |
CURRENT STRENGTH |
APPROVED STRENGTH |
VACANCIES |
|
COMM. |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
D/COMM. |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
A/COMM. |
8 |
8 |
0 |
|
C/SUPT. |
47 |
47 |
0 |
|
SUPT. |
167 |
168 |
1 |
|
INSP. |
416 |
482 |
66 |
|
SGT. |
1915 |
2210 |
295 |
|
TOTALS |
2556 |
2918 |
362 |
The Deputy may wish to note that a competition for promotions and appointments to the rank of Sergeant is currently being carried out under the remit of the Public Appointments Service, following the introduction of new Regulations to modernise the promotion process for the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector. A competition for the rank of Inspector is expected to commence in early 2022.