Control over civilian staff transferred to commissioner
It also announced a garda promotion system has been put in place to ensure the “most capable and most deserving members” will lead the force into the future.
Tánaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell signed an order transferring the staff and described it as a “historic day” for the force.
“It marks another significant step in the full implementation of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, making the commissioner, for the first time, the effective employer of all the staff who work for him,” the minister said.
“Under the Garda Act he can employ his own staff and is no longer dependent on my department to provide him with civilian staff.”
Mr McDowell said the structures put in place will allow civilians to play a full part in the future of An Garda Síochána.
The minister added that, to support the Garda Commissioner in carrying out this new responsibility, a civilian Human Resources Division has been established which will have a staffing complement of 37.
Its functions will include recruitment, training, discipline, industrial relations and general HR administrative functions.
Meanwhile, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Management Advisory Group are examining the future role and optimum use of civilian support, administration and management staff in An Garda Síochána. It is expected that these reports will be finalised and published in the coming weeks.
The new Garda promotion system will be based on interview boards consisting of three people — two civilians and one member of the Gardaí.
The civilian board members will be drawn from a panel approved by the Government. The members of that panel will be appointed by the Public Appointments Service. Until now the interview panel consisted of two members of An Garda Síochána and one civilian.
