Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
600. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of civilian and Garda personnel assigned to the anti-corruption unit of An Garda Síochána; the rank or grade of each; and an overview details of the role of the unit in preventing corruption. [4467/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I can inform the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner established the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (GACU) in November 2020 with a national remit to prevent, detect and investigate corruption and criminality committed, or suspected of being committed, by members of An Garda Síochána or Garda Staff. The GACU has developed several policies to support a safe and ethical workplace. These include setting out expressly an overarching Anti-corruption Policy, the Professional Boundaries and Abuse of Power for Sexual Gain Policy, as well as the Substance Misuse (controlled drugs) Policy.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda personnel attached to the Garda Anti Corruption Unit at 27 January 2022.
|
Chief Superintendent |
1 |
|
Detective Superintendent |
2 |
|
Detective Inspector |
2 |
|
Detective Sergeant |
9 |
|
Detective Garda |
18 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total |
34 |
I am further informed that the GACU's capacity and capability is being developed on an incremental basis and resources will continue to be allocated to the unit commensurate with its business needs.
