Matt Carthy
Question:117. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the annual cost of delivering an additional 500 community Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14282/25]
View answerWednesday, 26 March 2025
Questions (117)
Written answers
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
A member of An Garda Síochána is deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT), and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality-of-life issues in a specified geographic area through community partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.
Like most Garda members, those assigned to CPTs have dual functions. In addition to their strategic roles in these teams, part of which requires them to regularly update their Community Engagement Superintendent on the policing needs of their community, they are also frontline members. It is also important to note that CPTs draw on all frontline Gardaí to carry out community policing.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Units and as Minister I have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by Garda authorities that the estimated annual payroll related costs of delivering an additional 500 community Gardaí is €34.2 million.
Salary costs are calculated using the midpoint of the current Garda rank salary scale and include fixed allowances which the member is entitled to. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI is also included. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included. Future pension costs are also not included.