Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
451. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice whether the recommendations on promotions contained within the Cultural Audit of May 2018, prepared by the Policing Authority, have been implemented; if not, when it is proposed to implement them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42685/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. Appointments to ranks above Garda in An Garda Síochána are governed by relevant legislation.
Arising from the Culture Audit conducted by PwC on behalf of An Garda Síochána and following extensive engagement between my Department, the Public Appointments Service and An Garda Síochána, and in consultation with the Policing Authority and the Garda Associations, the Garda Síochána (Appointment to the Ranks of Inspector and Sergeant) Regulations 2021 were made.
These Regulations provide for a number of significant changes to the promotion process for Sergeants and Inspectors including:
• The transfer of responsibility for holding these promotion competitions to the Public Appointments Service;
• The introduction of a period of probation following promotion;
• The dissolution of the Garda Promotion Advisory Council;
• The removal of academic exemptions for aspects of the promotion examinations following a transition period; and
• The introduction of no more than a five year interval between passing the promotion examinations and applying for the Sergeant or Inspector roles.
In addition to the regulatory changes, a comprehensive job analysis exercise was carried out to develop new Competency Frameworks for the Sergeant and Inspector roles.
As the Deputy will also be aware, competitions for appointment to the ranks of Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner are undertaken by the Policing Authority, while competitions for appointment to the ranks of Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner are conducted by the Public Appointments Service.
