Vol. 515 No. 6
20 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made to date in discussions between Garda management and representative organisations regarding the proposal to remove more than 600 gardaí from administrative and specialist non-policing jobs and their replacement by civilians; the main categories of positions being considered for civilianisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6836/00]
The Deputy is referring to a working document containing proposals to develop civilianisation in the Garda Síochána. This document is under consideration by the Garda SMI implementation steering group established by the Government in early 1998 to oversee the implementation of the report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána.
The working document is the subject of ongoing consultations with the relevant staff associations and unions. I expect that following completion of these consultations and final consideration by the steering group of the working document that the civilianisation proposals will be submitted to the Government for its consideration.
I understand the objective of the proposed civilianisation programme is to release highly trained gardaí from administrative and technical posts to operational policing posts more appropriate to their training and skills thereby increasing the operational capacity of the force.
The Deputy will however appreciate that until the consultation process that I have described is concluded, it would not be appropriate to enter into the detail of the proposals contained in the civilianisation working document.
