31/05/2016

New Order Gives Policing Authority Power To Appoint Civilian Garda Staff

A new order has been introduced to allow the Policing Authority to directly appoint civilian staff within An Garda Síochána.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, has signed the Commencement Order for section 17 of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, enabling the Policing Authority to assume its statutory functions in relation to the civilian staff of An Garda Síochána.

Previously, the appointment of civilian staff has to be approved by the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Public Expenditure. Under the new order, the Policing Authority will be responsible for appointing civilian staff of grades that are equivalent to or above that of chief superintendent in An Garda Síochána

The Tánaiste said: "There are over 2,000 full-time-equivalent civilian staff in An Garda Síochána making up approximately 14% of the overall Garda workforce. Civilians hold a wide range of positions at all levels. They provide vital services in areas such as scene-of-crime support, IT and telecommunications, research and analysis, accommodation and fleet management, finance and procurement, internal audit, human resources, training and development, and medical services.

"Vital operational support areas such as the Garda Central Vetting Unit, the Garda Information Services Centre, and the Fixed Charge Processing Office are, by and large, staffed by civilians.

"I am committed to increasing civilianisation in An Garda Síochána to free up more Gardaí to get out from behind desks and to focus on frontline policing. This, along with an accelerated regiment programme to bring the number of Gardaí up to 15,000 will significantly increase the strength and effectiveness of the Force."

(MH/LM)

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