Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2017
159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the outcome of the GRACE programme within An Garda Síochána; the aspects of this programme that remain in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware there is an extensive programme of reform currently underway affecting all aspects of the administration and operation of An Garda Síochána. This follows the Government's approval in July 2016 of a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána.
The Policing Authority is performing an important task in overseeing the current reform process and in supporting the Gardaí in implementing the reform agenda. Its third progress report which I published on 14 September identifies welcome progress in a number of areas including -
- Significant progress in the work of the Garda Victims' Services Offices.
- The establishment of four Protective Services Units on a pilot basis,
- The completion of the Garda Deployment Survey
- Positive progress in the development and implementation of the Divisional/functional model of policing
- Progress on ICT projects,
- The Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation has taken up his post,
- Good progress on the implementation of improved risk management.
I have made it clear that implementation of the ambitious reform programme must continue and, indeed, must move at a greater pace, to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland. To support An Garda Síochána in addressing the concerns highlighted by the Authority a structured process of engagement is in place between my Department and An Garda Síochána to identify and agree corrective actions. This engagement includes formal monthly meetings at senior official level with the Deputy Commissioner for Strategy and Governance, the Chief Administrative Officer and the newly appointed Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation of An Garda Síochána.
I believe the only way to deliver world class policing in Ireland is to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs and that those resources operate in an organisation whose culture is open and responsive and where the best management systems and practices are deployed. I am confident that the reform plan that is being pursued by An Garda Síochána, supported by the Government and overseen by the Policing Authority, has the capacity to achieve this. It will not be done overnight but as I have made clear, the implementation of the ambitious reform programme must continue and, indeed, must move at a greater pace, to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland.
The GRACE (Garda Response to a Changing Environment) programme to which the Deputy refers was introduced in 2011 to co-ordinate a significant number of on-going work streams and programmes. The overall objective of GRACE was to eliminate or substantially reduce the budget deficit within An Garda Síochána and to demonstrate leadership willingness and capability to address immediate, medium and longer-term financial challenges, in collaboration with other agencies. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested in relation to the outcome of this programme and what aspects remain in place and I will revert to the Deputy upon receipt of same.
