Darren O'Rourke
Question:617. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of increasing the number of sworn gardai from 14,396 to 15,900 between 26 May 2022 and December 2023. [28082/22]
View answerTuesday, 31 May 2022
Questions (617)
Written answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 617 of 31 May 2022 where you asked for: “The estimated cost of increasing the number of sworn Gardaí from 14,396 to 15,900 between 26 May 2022 and December 2023”.
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
By law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment. 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 to increase the number of sworn Garda members from 14,396 on 26 May 2022 to 15,900 by December 2023, an additional 1,504 members would be required.
As you will appreciate, the number of Garda members changes in line with recruitment and retirements, so the estimated additional payroll cost set out in the below table assumes that no additional Garda members leave the service between 26 May 2022 and 31 December 2023.
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
|
2022 intake (250 recruits) |
€470,000 |
€7,610,000 |
|
2023 intake (1,254 recruits) |
n/a |
€30,350,000 |
|
Estimated additional payroll costs |
€470,000 |
€37,960,000 |
The Garda authorities inform me that the above figures are based on recruits entering training for 32 weeks on 31 October 2022 and 1 January 2023 respectively. The calculations are based on approximately €6,650 per recruit for the first 32 weeks, whereby new recruits undergo training and during this time they receive basic allowances. The remaining costs are paid on completion of the 32 weeks training, which includes Garda members moving to the first point of the pay scale when attested and an estimation of allowances that the members may qualify for depending on their assignments and employer’s PRSI.
It is important to note that non-pay costs are not included in the estimated figures and that the calculation is an estimate only as it must take account of several unknowns, including the actual date of recruitment and locations of any new Garda.
Furthermore, the estimate is based on current work schedules and pay scales, with the impact of the scheduled pay rise in October 2022 taken into consideration.
Finally, the annual payroll costs would continue to increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year and the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments.