Bernard Durkan
Question:
593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of vacant promotional positions to be filled at all levels throughout An Garda Síochána at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55450/23]
View answer
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 12 December 2023 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice the number of vacant promotional positions to be filled at all levels throughout An Garda Síochána at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter”.
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.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2024 - a 23% increase since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
As you will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Units.
As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters, however, I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps under review the need to fill vacancies as operationally required. I am informed that competitions are held for promotional ranks as required in anticipation of vacancies which naturally arise as a consequence of departures due to promotions or retirements in those ranks. As you will be aware promotion competitions for the ranks of Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner are a matter for the Policing Authority.
I am informed that as of the end of November 2023, there were 82 vacant promotional Garda member vacancies and over 200 Garda staff vacancies.
