Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:901. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of increasing the number of dedicated community gardaí by 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. [33777/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (901)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána.
I have asked the Commissioner for the specific material requested by the Deputy and I will write to him when I receive this information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 901 for answer on 24 July 2018 relating to the cost of increasing the number of dedicated community Gardaí by 10%, 20% and 30%. I apologise for the time required to provide you with the information requested.
As the Deputy will appreciate it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of personnel. Further, the allocation of Garda resources and distribution of personnel are a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all
gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as at 31 December 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, there were 695 dedicated Community Gardaí.
I am further informed that salary costs are calculated using the midpoint of the January 2019 Garda salary scale and include fixed allowances which members are entitled to. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI is also included. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included.
The following table shows the estimated incremental salary costs if the current number of dedicated Community Gardaí were increased by 10% 20% and 30% respectively.
|
Cost of 10% increase |
Cost of 20% increase |
Cost of 30% increase |
|
|
Dedicated Community Gardaí |
€3,462,340 |
€6,924,680 |
€10,387,020 |
|
Dedicated Community Sergeants |
€537,177 |
€1,074,354 |
€1,611,531 |
I trust this information is of assistance.