Cathal Crowe
Ceist:183. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the recruitment of new gardaí with respect to increasing diversity and gender balance in the force. [4907/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 1 February 2023
Ceisteanna (183)
Freagraí scríofa
I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time. 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. 183 of 1 February 2023 where you asked for: “an update on the recruitment of new gardaí with respect to increasing diversity and gender balance in the force ”
As you will recall the information was not available at the time, and I undertook to contact you again when it was to hand.
You will appreciate that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration and operation of An Garda Síochána, including matters of personnel and human resources policy. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As you may be aware, the report of Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended that An Garda Síochána should reflect the diversity of Irish society, not only in gender and ethnicity, but also in terms of socio-economic, educational and geographical backgrounds and that they would need to develop recruitment strategies which reach a more diverse intake. The Garda Commissioner and I are committed to increasing diversity within An Garda Síochána and ensuring that all communities can see themselves reflected in our police service.
An Garda Síochána have demonstrated this in recent years through the establishment of the Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit (GNDIU), publication of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy Statement and Action Plan.
I can advise you that as of 31 January there were 3,986 (28%) women serving in An Garda Síochána at all ranks, out of a total strength of 14,125. This includes 100% of Deputy Commissioners and 50% of Assistant Commissioners and compares with 24% female and 76% male sworn Garda members in 2010.
I welcome the growing diversity within the ranks of An Garda Síochána. In June 2020, there were 20 different nationalities from countries other than the UK and Ireland represented as members. This was up to 23 different nationalities in September 2022 and 30 as of 15 March 2023.
I was particularly pleased to see the increased numbers of members of minority communities who applied to the 2022 Garda recruitment campaign - approximately 40% of whom were women, and increased numbers indicated their ethnicity to be other than "White-Irish". These included 43 applicants from the Traveller Community, over 350 applicants identified as being from Asian backgrounds and over 130 applicants identified as being from a "Black, or Black-Irish-African" background.
In order to promote entry and remove a barrier to entry for individuals from some communities, when launching the 2019 recruitment competition, the Commissioner approved changes to the Garda uniform to allow the wearing of the hijab or turban.
As the Deputy will know, the 2022 Garda recruitment competition was the first held since new regulations were introduced, amending the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, to allow for a broader appeal for service with An Garda Síochána to reflect the increasing diversity of Irish Society. The requirement for proficiency in only one language, which must be either English or Irish, removed any potential disadvantage for people who have not had the opportunity to achieve proficiency in two languages, but who still wish to serve as members of An Garda Síochána.
I also welcome the proactive engagements undertaken by An Garda Síochána with the aim of promoting the 2022 Garda trainee recruitment competition to representatives of minority communities. I am informed by the Garda authorities that building on the programme of engagements undertaken for the 2022 competition, national, regional and divisional activities are commencing to ensure that information is made available to all those eligible to apply.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána and the organisation also operates an internship programme aimed at recruiting staff from diverse communities.
This internship aims to increase the accessibility, understanding of, and potential for a career in An Garda Síochána for school-leavers and graduates, particularly those from groups typically underrepresented in the organisation. It is a first of its kind initiative for An Garda Síochána.
Taking this approach opens AGS to staff whom would not normally have the opportunity to apply through the Civil Service process. Offers will be made to the second cohort of the programme very soon. Open to school leavers and graduates, applicants had one or more of the following backgrounds:
• Irish Traveller or Roma
• Minority ethnic or migrant
• Socially or economically disadvantaged
• Consider oneself to have a disability
• Lone parent or female-headed household
• LGBTI+.
The programme received a highly commended award in the Inclusion & Diversity - large organisation category at the CIPD HR Awards 2023.
I trust that this information is of assistance.