Details of the extraordinary pay award to gardai have been issued to the force prior to a ballot by 8,000 members on accepting new working practices that will change shift patterns for city gardai, increase the use of civilians for administrative work and introduce new technology.
Gardai from the Dublin Metropolitan Area were briefed on the deal by Garda Representative Association (GRA) leaders at the Garda sports complex at Westmanstown, Dublin, yesterday.
Many of the Dublin members were concerned that changes in the roster system at the city's 42 24-hour stations could reduce their overtime and allowances. The pay deal negotiated by the GRA allows for the introduction of a new "flexi-roster" system which Garda management has been seeking for years to allow for a more efficient use of resources.
One of the aspects of the agreement has been the increase and broadening of allowances.
The rent allowance for single gardai has been increased from £1,389 to £2,192. Married gardai will receive the same allowance.
There has also been an increase in clothing and "boot" allowances from £714 to £800 a year.
Most importantly, the additional pay and allowance increases will be backdated for 15 months to when the negotiations began. This means that officers with three years' service will receive £2,434 and officers with more than 20 years' service will receive £3,225 in a back-pay lump sum if they vote next week in favour of the pay deal. Ballot papers are to be returned to the association's lawyers by Friday, September 3rd.
Existing garda pay scales are from £12,452 for new attested officers to £21,994 for officers with 20 years' service. The allowance increases will give the newly attested gardai an additional £489 and up to £1,862 for officers with 20 years' service.
Many city gardai depend on overtime and night shift allowances to make up a considerable portion of their pay, and the introduction of changes to the rostering system is regarded with suspicion. However, GRA sources said they were hopeful the city gardai would accept the overall deal negotiated with Government.