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 Garda HR matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I want to make it clear that I am very aware of how stressful and difficult the work of members of An Garda Síochána can be. I have made it a priority as Minister to ensure the funding is in place to sustain the wellbeing and support initiatives as requested by the Garda Commissioner. This includes €1.5 million allocated in Budget 2025 for Garda workforce wellbeing measures.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are a number of support systems in place to promote sustained wellbeing of Garda personnel in line with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, including:
• Psychological Support Programme (PSP)
• KOPS Wellbeing App (it features a ‘Help Me Now’ button to connect Gardaí to immediate help 24/7, 365 days a year)
• Direct Supervisor
• Peer Supporters
• Workplace Chaplaincy
• Garda Employee Assistance Service
• Garda Occupational Health Service
• Inspire Wellbeing - the free 24/7, confidential helpline
In addition to the above, a ‘Psychological Support Services Policy’ was launched in 2020 with specific supports for personnel involved in the investigation of crimes involving the exploitation of children and sexual offences.
An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to a traumatic incident receive the appropriate organisation response. It recognises that the continued wellbeing of each member is essential from a personal level and contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Organisation.
In an attempt to negate the harmful effects of traumatic incidents, the Employee Assistance Service (EAS), through Employee Assistance Officers, is available to provide a confidential, professional, support and assistance service to members who may have been involved in a traumatic incident in work. The service is available to help resolve work or personal issues that are causing stress, worry or disruption to an individual’s life.
In conjunction with EAS, a Peer Supporter Programme was established within An Garda Síochána. Peer Supporters are colleagues who have received appropriate training in helping members cope with the effect of a traumatic incident in the workplace. Very often in circumstances of traumatic incidents, the immediate notification to, and response from a peer supporter, has a huge impact in assisting colleagues in the aftermath of such occurrences. There are over 1,100 personnel trained within the Organisation. They are available in all Garda Districts and are activated following a traumatic incident. Following each traumatic incident, a peer supporter is activated. They will contact the member and offer support. In the event that the peer supporter deems it appropriate, they may refer the member to the Employee Assistance Service.
Employee Assistance Officers (EAO) have received accredited training in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and are available to facilitate, and have delivered welfare interventions and response in the aftermath of critical/traumatic incidents such as De-Fusing, De-Briefing, Group Intervention and One to One Intervention. This intervention is delivered upon assessment and evaluation by the Employee Assistance Service with local management in respect of the nature and impact of the incident/event.
Since 24 June 2016, a 24/7, 365 Independent Helpline and Counselling Service is available to all staff within An Garda Síochána. This service is available for both work and personal difficulties. The service is provided by Inspire Wellbeing, is not mandatory and is self-referral. Each member of the Organisation may avail of six free sessions of counselling per year, an additional two will be provided if clinically approved.All appointments and consultants are arranged directly between the Service Provider and the staff member.
In addition, trauma-based counselling is now available to all personnel following on from a traumatic incident in work. This counselling is a self-referral and is accessed through the same helpline, but the individual indicates to the call taker that the request is as a result of a traumatic incident. Trauma counselling provides 6 free sessions to the individual and additional 6 if clinically approved per trauma. If further sessions are required a request will be made to Occupational Health Department.
Occupational Health and the Chief Medical Officer also provide support to personnel who are referred via local management following injuries on duty, sickness absence or traumatic events. The decision to stand down personnel is an operational matter for Garda Management.
