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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Auxiliary Police Force.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

216 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the consideration, if any, she has given to introducing an auxiliary police force; if so, the nature and extent of the study being undertaken in this regard; the number of EU member states that have such a force; whether this matter is under active consideration; if so, the target date for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11421/96]

The question of the establishment of a reserve police force has been considered from time to time. However, it is not clear that any possible advantage arising from the establishment of such a force would outweigh potential difficulties which could arise from it. For example, one would have to be concerned with the rights of individuals faced with a new law enforcement group who would initially lack the expertise and training of full-time police. Given the potential difficulties I have mentioned, and the problems of acceptability of such a force because of the resonances associated in this country with the idea of law enforcement by "reserves", I am in no doubt that the money would be better spent in providing extra capacity for the Garda Síochána. I am recruiting 350 gardaí this year and a further 350 in 1997.

I am endeavouring to maximise the number of gardaí engaged on operational duties which can only be performed by members of the Garda Síochána. One of the principal ways of achieving this economically is through a programme of civilianisation of certain work within the force. At present there are approximately 680 civilians in clerical-administrative positions attached to the Garda Síochána and in addition there are over 200 full-time and 700 part-time civilian employees attached to the Garda Síochána in the cleaning, operative, medical and other support services.

The Information Technology Plan for the Force which is currently being implemented should allow for a significant number of gardaí to be released from administrative tasks to perform policing duties on the streets.

For the information of the Deputy, I understand that those EU member states which have an auxiliary or a part-time police force are the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom.

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