Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1438. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the level of engagement that she has had with the Garda Representative Association in relation to planned changes to rostering for the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1457. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda Commissioner has informed her Department about plans for new rosters for An Garda Síochána; if her attention has been drawn to staff associations being opposed to these plans; if she will raise the concerns of the staff associations with the Garda Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43760/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1438 and 1457 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the deployment and rostering of staff. As Minister, I have no role in the management of these functions, nor have I had any engagement with the Garda Associations in respect of the matters referred to by the Deputy.
The Deputy may also be aware that the current Garda roster was introduced by the Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements that arose during the Covid pandemic. It was always intended by the Commissioner to be a temporary roster, to be replaced in due course by a revised roster.
I am informed by the Commissioner that a facilitated process (under an independent chair) has been ongoing for some time between Garda management and the Garda Associations to develop a revised roster for Garda members. On 15 August, the facilitator published his recommendations as providing a basis to move forward on roster reform. Further engagement with the Associations in relation to the implementation of these proposals is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
