Posted online: Jan 28th, 2010

Donegal Gardai topped the “sick-list” according to a major survey into the workings of An Garda Siochana which was published this week.
The Report of the Garda Siochana Inspectorate revealed that, on average, gardai in the Donegal division were on sick leave for 9.59 shifts during one year, compared with a national average in the force of 6.44 shifts.
When long-term sickness and absence through injuries on duty are taken into account, the average garda in Donegal missed 13.99 shifts in the year in question.
This compares with a national average of 10.19. The report noted that the average number of shifts missed by police personnel in England and Wales was 8.4.
Although the report was published this week, the figures related to 2007 – the most recent available.
Figures for the same year also showed that gardai in Donegal clocked up 70,134 hours in overtime.
The report was highly critical of many of the structures in place, and the out-dated nature of certain aspects of how the force works.
It made 27 recommendations, with the main ones including: new technology; a new policy on telecommunicaitons contacts with the public; a revision of shift arrangements; maximizing numbers available for operational duty; and updating computer and communications systems. Many of the recommendations will be welcomed by gardai.
Meanwhile, Dinny McGinley, T.D. has been informed that Garda strength in Donegal at present stands at 468, with 181 of these being assigned to the Letterkenny Garda District.
Deputy McGinley was requesting that extra Gardai should be allocated to border stations and particularly Lifford Garda Station.