Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 4

Written Answers - Garda Vote.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

267 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of the budget for Garda overtime which was included in the 1998 Estimates; the amount that has been expended on Garda overtime to date in 1998; the anticipated expenditure for overtime for the remainder of 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6222/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The allocation for Garda overtime in the 1998 Estimates is £27.9 million. I understand from the Garda authorities that £6.9 million has been expended during the first two months of the year, leaving £21 million for the remainder.

The nature of demand for overtime is such that it is difficult to estimate in advance exactly what level of expenditure will be required. As with all items in the Garda Vote, expenditure on Garda overtime will be closely monitored and the appropriate measures taken to ensure that An Garda Síochána has adequate resources to meet its requirements in a cost effective way.