Alan Shatter
Ceist:61 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who are qualified barristers, qualified solicitors or hold a university degree; and the use that is made in the Garda Force of members with such qualifications.
Written Answers. - Higher Level Educational Qualification.
Alan Shatter
Ceist:62 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in management rank who hold a university degree; and the number who have completed only a primary certificate education.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 41 on 13 May 1993, which relates to third level qualifications held by members of the Garda Síochána on their appointment to the force. It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the details sought by the Deputy, but I will see if the information can be provided and I will communicate seperately with the Deputy in the matter.
With regard to Question No. 62 — that is the question concerning the number of gardaí from superintendent level upwards who hold third level qualifications — I presume that what the Deputy is trying to do is draw some conclusion about the likely management capabilities of those concerned or perhaps draw comparisons with other bodies. While higher level qualifications of course, do not necessarily signal management capability, I asked if this particular piece of information could be extracted in advance of the rest and am informed that about over one third of the members in the ranks in question hold third level qualifications, including diplomas.