Martin Kenny
Ceist:706. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of training 100 additional gardaí per annum. [34046/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 June 2022
Ceisteanna (706)
Freagraí scríofa
I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy, however this information was not available. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 706 of 28 June 2022 where you sought: ‘The estimated cost of training 100 additional Gardaí per annum’
As you will recall, I had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
By law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda College has a total budget of almost €36.9 million for 2022 and that all AGS organisational training costs must be met from this budget.
This includes the following three organisational training areas; 1) Foundation Training of Recruits to a BA in Applied Policing degree level, 2) Crime Specialist and Operational Skills training, and 3) Leadership management and development training. I am advised that the Foundation Training Programme is the initial training and development programme for newly recruited Garda Trainee and Probationer Gardaí in An Garda Síochána, and incorporates the training required to perform the role and functions of a Garda in an efficient and effective manner.
The Programme incorporates a BA in Applied Policing Skills, which contains three Phases of training. Upon successful completion of Phase I, Garda Trainees are attested as members of An Garda Síochána and commence their probationary period
I am informed that the current estimated payroll and subsistence related cost of training 100 additional Gardaí is approximately €726,000.
This comprises a payroll cost of €665,000 that is calculated based on the basic allowances that new recruits receive while they undergo Phase 1 training (32 weeks based on current delivery). Employer’s PRSI at 8.8% is also calculated as a cost. In line with the 2022 Garda Trainee Recruitment competition the training assignment will be for a period of 33 weeks or for such longer or shorter periods as the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána may determine.
The second component is a subsistence related cost of €61,000 and relates to a payment that recruits are eligible to receive per rostered shift during their 8 week deployment to an operational station.
I am advised that upon attestation Probationer Gardaí move to the first point of the Garda pay scale and subsequently are also eligible to earn allowances that they may qualify for depending on their assignments.
Non-pay and subsistence related costs of training are not currently included in the estimated cost figure.