Some 800 civil servants performing clerical duties in Garda stations are earning up to £100 a week less than gardai for performing identical duties, the Civil and Public Services Union conference has been told in Tralee.
The union's deputy general secretary, Ms Rosaleen Glacken, has put the Garda Commissioner and the Department of Justice on notice that the CPSU will refer the case to the Director of Equality Investigations if these differentials are not eliminated by the end of the month.
Ms Glacken also said that a new, confidential report for the Commissioner had identified a further 650 posts filled by gardai that could be civilianised.
"This would not alone create extra promotional outlets for low-paid clerical officers but would release an additional 650 gardai for community policing and crime prevention duties."
Ms Glacken's remarks were aimed at the Garda representative bodies as well as senior management.
Traditionally many of these posts were filled by gardai no longer able to perform regular policing duties.
"Various ranks from garda to sergeant are being paid between £70 and £100 a week more than clerical officers for doing administrative duties proper to Civil Service grades," she said.
Only 11 promotional outlets are currently open to the 800 clerical officers, mainly women, who work in Garda stations.
The civilianisation of the other 650 posts would create about 200 promotional outlets.