Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1154.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of alcohol test licensing inspections on bars, clubs, supermarkets and so on, that were carried out by gardaí within R district of DMR in 2023 and to-date in 2024 to ensure full compliance of Alcohol Licensing Regulations, in tabular form; and the frequency with which these inspections are carried out within the district.[35200/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that during 2023 and to-date in 2024 there were fewer than ten reported incidents each year of ‘alcohol test licencing inspections' in bars, clubs, supermarkets within the DMR R district.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that inspections of licensed premises, during which no Offence is identified, are recorded on PULSE under incident type 'Liquor Licensing Inspection of Premises No Offence Disclosed'. Where an offence is detected, it is recorded under the appropriate incident type. Data was drawn down for the R District, querying both incident type 'Liquor Licensing Inspection of Premises No Offence Disclosed' and a number of other relevant incident types (e.g. Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor).

As the data set falls below the threshold of 10 incidents in each year, the Garda authorities are not in a position to provide this data for data protection reasons.

I am informed that the above information is based on a search of the PULSE database. Information is operational and subject to change.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1155.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated additional funding her Department requires in 2025 to recruit 1,000 additional Garda trainees; and if her Department has the necessary funding in place for this.[35201/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.

As the Deputy will be aware, funding for An Garda Síochána is provided through Vote 20, the Garda Vote and is not accounted under my Department's Vote. The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and is accountable for the economy and the efficiency of An Garda Síochána in using its resources.

The Garda Commissioner is also responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the estimated 2025 payroll cost associated with the recruitment of 1,000 trainees in 2025 is in the region of €9 million.

For this calculation, it is assumed that the 1,000 trainees are recruited in four tranches spread throughout the year and that the first intake of recruits will be scheduled to attest as Gardaí before the end of 2025.

The estimate includes a basic training allowance and certain fixed allowances payable for the 35 week period. When attested, Garda move to point 1 of the Garda pay scale. An estimation of certain fixed allowances, variable unsocial hours’ allowances and employer’s PRSI is calculated for the recruits that commence training in 2025 and are due to attest by the end of 2025.

Pay increases scheduled for 2025 are taken into consideration for newly attested Garda.

Other potential costs including the cost of equipment, subsistence and accommodation are not included. It is assumed that the Garda College has the capacity for this level of trainees. It should also be noted that the estimated figures do not take account of any overtime costs or potential future pension costs.