Vol. 566 No. 3
380 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí taken up processing firearm certificates; and if he will consider contracting out this work in the future with the security aspect to this work retained under Garda supervision. [12715/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are approximately 210,000 licensed firearms within the State. The responsibility for issuing and renewing firearm certificates is that of the local Garda superintendent. Since the passing of the Firearms Act 2000 the issue of firearms certificates to non-nationals is also the responsibility of the local superintendents.
The firearms database is maintained at Garda headquarters. New applications are processed there throughout the year. Renewal notices and firearm certificates are issued from Garda headquarters in August each year. The Garda IT section carries out the printing of renewal notices and certificates. The distribution of notices and certificates has been contracted out for many years through open tender competitions. The contractor distributes the certificates to station level. Licence holders are required to attend their local station to collect their certificates on payment of the appropriate fee.
381 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has compiled a full audit of the kind of duties performed by members of the Garda that could easily be outsourced by having an external contractor involved. [12716/03]
382 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to speed up the civilianisation programme within the Garda in order that more members of the force can be deployed against the street crime problem. [12717/03]
383 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda that are tied up on administrative duties, as opposed to operational policing work; and his views on the current balance between the two. [12718/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 to 383, inclusive, together.
In general, I am fully in favour of relieving the Garda Síochána of administrative or technical duties so as to make them available for operational policing duties. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda national digital project is presently considering the outsourcing of service provision for the replacement of the current Garda national radio network. I am also informed that where practicable, the Garda telecommunications section outsources maintenance contracts. At present the value of these outsourced projects is €2.2 million. In addition, all significant IT development is outsourced.
Research conducted under the Garda Síochána strategic management initiative identified a number of areas which it was considered would be suitable to outsource. These included fleet maintenance; vehicle maintenance and repair; vehicle spare parts; management of the contract for disposal via auction; towing; supply of tyres; and vehicle marking and fit-out. These recommendations are currently under consideration in my Department.
The personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 12 May 2003 is 11,774, all of whom are available for operational duties. There are currently 420 Garda personnel allocated to administrative duties and there are almost 900 civilian clerical and administrative staff employed as a support to the Garda Síochána.
