Minister secures approval to fill 33 senior Garda posts

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has secured cabinet approval to appoint 33 senior garda to fill vacant posts in the force.

He made the announcement yesterday much to the delight of delegates attending the annual Association of Garda Superintendents conference in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Association president Gerard Smith had earlier told the minister that the country’s economic problems and the related moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service has had a serious impact on members of his association.

“The simple fact is that as of today there are 30 vacancies at superintendent rank in An Garda Síochána,” Superintendent Smith said.

Mr Shatter said he was preparing to appoint two assistant commissioners, eight chief superintendents and 23 superintendents to vacant posts.

“All of the consequential vacancies at sergeant and inspector rank will also be filled and I understand that the interview processes have commenced,” Mr Shatter said.

He also told the superintendents there would shortly be a better system of compensating garda members who had been maliciously injured during their work, so that legal costs are reduced and quicker payments made to the victims.

“Subject to discussions there will be more civilian support staff in the force so that garda members are free to do what they do have been so highly trained to do: police work,” Mr Shatter said.

Superintendent Smith said that his association’s members had signed up to the Croke Park agreement but then issued a warning to Mr Shatter.

“However, this co-operation and engagement is based firmly on the understanding that a commitment has been given not to interfere with current pay and allowances to our members,” Superintendent Smith said.

He said the review being undertaken of allowances paid to public servants is causing great concern among his members.

“The view of this association is that any interference with the payment of either pay or allowances is a breach of the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.

“It must be remembered that allowances are not merely add-ons or bonuses; they are legitimate allowances in the nature of pay which for varying reasons have been negotiated and sanctioned over the years and can now be regarded as an integral part of pay,” he said.