Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 April 2017
81. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the recommendations of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate in its Changing Policing in Ireland report, in tabular form; the actions which have been taken on each recommendation to date; the planned actions on each recommendation; the anticipated timeframe for implementation of each recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17218/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast July, the Government approved my proposals for a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the report of the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government to increase the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. Of the 81 recommendations in the Inspectorate report 74 were directed to the Garda Commissioner. Of these, 71 were accepted or accepted subject to modifications. The vehicle for the implementation of the agreed recommendations is the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation & Renewal Programme 2016-2021, the overall aim of which is to modernise and professionalise An Garda Síochána for the 21st century. Key agreed reforms include the roll-out of a Divisional model of policing and further civilianisation.
Government has agreed that the current District model of policing will be replaced on a phased basis with a Divisional one where responsibilities are allocated on a functional rather than a geographical basis subject to appropriate modifications to meet the needs of large rural Divisions and ensure that the close relationship with communities is maintained. Four pilots are in train and are due to be evaluated later this year. The number of regions and Divisions will be maintained at six and 28 respectively for the time being but will be reviewed as the Divisional model is rolled out.
In relation to civilianisation, the Government, in line with international experience, agreed a medium term goal of 20% civilians to be adopted for the overall Garda workforce to be achieved through (i) a 'civilian by default policy to be adopted in relation to the filling of all new posts other than operational policing posts and for non-operational policing posts that become vacant and (ii) redeployment of Gardaí and backfilling by suitably qualified civilians where necessary. Garda management is developing a workforce plan to achieve this.
I have referred the agreed recommendations of the Inspectorate report to the Policing Authority in accordance with section 117A(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. I received the first progress report from the Authority in January. The second is due later this month. Given the scale and five-year time frame of the reform plan, the Authority reported that its initial attention had been focussed on understanding the agreed recommendations and the MRP, establishing robust structures to ensure a focus is created and maintained on this priority area of work and on identifying a number of priority areas for attention including to ensure that the benefits of investment are realised. In particular, it has established a dedicated committee to undertake this work area. While the report acknowledges that substantive reform will take time and persistence by the Commissioner, it notes a very welcome start on further civilianisation. I expect that reports in due course will include more detailed assessments of the progress, including actions taken and timelines, on the implementation of the agreed recommendations. I have asked my officials to consult with the Authority in relation to how its future progress reports in relation to the implementation could be put into the public domain.
