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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

616 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to sanction extra gardaí for Clonmel, County Tipperary. [19950/02]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the day to day allocation of resources to individual areas, that the personnel strength of Clonmel Garda station as at 29 October 2002 is 40 – all ranks. Resources are augmented from within the district-division as required. The area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit.

I am further informed that the allocation of resources to Clonmel Garda station will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available, the needs of that station will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

617 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when extra gardaí will be sanctioned for Tipperary town. [19951/02]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the day to day allocation of resources to individual areas, that the personnel strength of Tipperary town Garda station as at 29 October 2002 is 30 – all ranks. Resources are augmented from within the district-division as required. The area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit.

I am further informed that the allocation of resources to Tipperary town Garda station will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available, the needs of that station will be fully considered within the context of needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

David Stanton

Ceist:

618 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in the respective ranks who have retired or resigned from the force each year for the past five years; the number in 2002; the number of gardaí who have completed and passed the training course and who have remained in the force each year during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19969/02]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí, by rank, whose service with the Garda Síochána has been discontinued, i.e., retired, resigned, dismissed or died in each year for the last five years and in the current year up to and including 31 October, 2002, is as set out in the following table:

Rank

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

31/10/02

Total

Garda

211

219

221

285

243

233

1,412

Sergeant

107

76

77

60

59

73

452

Inspector

10

10

12

6

8

15

61

Superintendent

16

14

11

15

8

15

79

Chief Superintendent

1

3

9

3

1

5

22

Asst. Commissioner

2

1

1

0

3

0

7

Deputy Commissioner

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

Commissioner

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total

347

324

331

369

322

341

2,034

I am further informed that the number of gardaí who have successfully completed the training course for the years 1997 to 2001 and in respect of the current year to date, is as set out in the following table:

Year

Number

1997

326

1998

470

1999

589

2000

494

2001

531

2002

367(+ 136 due to graduate in November 2002)

Of the gardaí who successfully completed the training course since 1 January 1997, 33 members are no longer serving. This figure includes those who were dismissed, resigned or died.

David Stanton

Ceist:

619 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the present compulsory retirement age for the various ranks of the gardaí; if he has given or is giving consideration to introducing a scheme whereby gardaí could opt to remain on past the current retirement age if they would so wish; the discussions he has had regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19970/02]

The current position is that all ranks within the Garda Síochána up to chief superintendent are eligible for a pension if they have a minimum 30 years service and have reached the age of 50 years.

Members of ranks up to and including inspector must retire at 57 years of age. Superintendents and chief superintendents must retire at 60 years of age as must those of commissioner rank appointed after 1996. Assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners appointed before 1996 must retire at 65 years of age. The age differential was established some time ago and recognises that there are greater physical demands on gardaí in front-line operational policing roles.

The commission on public service pensions has recommended that the minimum retirement age for new entrants to the Garda Síochána should be raised from 50 to 55 and that members should have the option of being retained to a maximum age of 60 rather than 57, subject to meeting minimum health and fitness standards. My objective is to have a fit, active and experienced force with an appropriate balance as regards the age profile and I am reviewing the retirement ages applicable to the Garda Síochána with this aim in mind.

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