Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 March 2012
185 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any mechanism has been put in place to address the significant number of Garda personnel who are retiring under the current public retirement programme and in view of the fact that double the average number of gardaí retired in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13043/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
While there is no getting away from the reality that public expenditure and public service numbers have to be reduced in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF, the Government is committed to maintaining frontline services at the highest level possible. A key factor in achieving this will be the implementation of the new Garda roster which is aimed at more closely matching the availability of Garda personnel with fluctuating policing demands. The number of retirements in the first two months of 2012 was 262. This compares with 436 in 2011, 362 in 2010 and 722 in 2009.
