Jim O'Callaghan
Question:1095. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice how many gardaí are currently suspended from the force and/or are on sick leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37496/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1095)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
The Deputy will also appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all HR matters relating to personnel within An Garda Síochána, including sick leave. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
However, to be of assistance I have sought the information as requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.
I have been informed that, as of 8 August 2023 (the latest date for when figures are available), a total of 113 members of An Garda Síochána were suspended from duty.
For the Deputy's information, the Garda Commissioner provides monthly information on sick leave to the independent Policing Authority. These reports are published and available at: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-authority/
I am advised that the below figures are acquired from the monthly Commissioner's Report for July. These figures are correct at the time each monthly report is run. If sick absence is recorded for the period in a subsequent month, this variance will be captured in the Garda Annual Report.
As of 31 July, 742 Garda members were recorded on sick leave, of which 213 were recorded as injured on duty. Of these, 496 Garda members were recorded as long-term sick (on sick leave of 28 days or longer), of which 206 were recorded as injured on duty.
Comparing July 2023 to July 2022, year on year ordinary illness days have decreased for Garda members by 1.83%.