Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:
888. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of every ten additional community gardaí; the cost of each additional dedicated community sergeant; the cost of a 10% increase overall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37035/23]
View answer
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
As you will recall, I had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand. Community policing is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.
I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. This takes into account factors including crime trends, operational strategies and local population figures.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that member is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement.
I am also advised that in some rural areas, the existing personnel will form CPTs. They will have dual functions as first responders and community policing members. Additionally, CPTs will be augmented by Community Support Gardaí who will perform frontline duties and will be assigned a particular Community Policing Area to support dedicated Community Gardaí.
I understand that each Division will have a number of CPTs assigned to it, consisting of an Inspector, Sergeant and Community Policing Gardaí. CPTs will prioritise engagement with communities for the delivery of long-term sustainable solutions to community needs.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out
the annual projected cost of ten additional community Gardaí; and the cost of one additional dedicated community sergeant.
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The annual cost of ten additional community Gardaí
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€0.637m
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The annual cost of one additional community Sergeant
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€0.075m
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At 30 June 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 663 Community Gardaí nationwide, which includes 579 Garda, 75 Sergeants and 9 Inspectors. The table below sets out the estimated incremental salary costs if the current number of Community Gardaí is increased by 10%.
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-
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10% increase
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Dedicated Community Gardaí
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€3.7m
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Dedicated Community Sergeants
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€0.6m
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Dedicated Community Inspectors
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€0.084m
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Salary costs are calculated using the midpoint of the current Garda Salary scale and include fixed allowances which the member is entitled to. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI is also included. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included. Future pension costs are not included.
