Vol. 417 No. 5
61 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the proposals he intends to implement to employ more civilians with the gardaí to undertake various administrative duties so that a greater amount of Garda time will be taken up with crime-related matters.
It is my policy to advance civilianisation in the Garda Síochána to release the maximum possible number of gardaí for the operational police duties for which they were recruited and trained.
Some 550 civilian clerical staff are currently employed in the Garda Síochána — the highest ever number. A further 140 civilian staff will be recruited in the current year and the intention is to assign these additional staff to posts which will result in an equivalent increase in the operational Garda strength.
I am satisfied that there is scope for further civilianisation in the Garda Síochána and I hope to look more closely at the options in this regard in the coming months. I will also be glad to consider whatever proposals may emerge from the study of this matter by the Dáil Select Committee on Crime.
