Gardai now best paid workers in the state - CSO

Padraig Mor

Interesting stats released by the CSO here, reported by the Irish Times here, particularly in view of the now globally acknowledged policing - free lawlessness of Dublin, and perennial claims that Gardai are poorly paid. Across the broad categories of workers as delineated by the CSO, Gardai have now rocketed to the top of the list with average total earnings (including overtime etc) of €1579 - equating to annual pay of over €82,000, up 16% in a year. Total of basic pay vs premium pay is not recorded but given that Gardai also have the highest number of hours worked per week (45.9), it's safe to say that premium payments contribute substantially to their pay packets. With the background of controversy over Garda rosters, note that it's been previously reported that "the new [current] rosters proved hugely popular. Because Garda members were working for 12 hours, they were eligible for more unsocial hours allowances." I guess now we can see just why they want to keep those rosters! One has to wonder though whether such high payments represent value for the taxpayer given the many, many stories of lack of interest by Gardai in pursuing even the very basics of policing. Note also that, for all the talk of collapsing Gardai numbers, it's the same now (14300) as a year ago, and only down 200 since pre Covid times.

One thing to note is that the payment figures represent the average of all grades in the organisation. While this inevitably brings claims that the average is significantly increased by a few top Gardai, this is not the case according to separate stats released previously by the Gardai - as the large majority of Gardai are at 'rank and file' Garda rank, their average is likely to be not hugely below the overall average.

Clo-Clo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324821/gardai-now-best-paid-workers-in-the-state-cso

Pay scales are here:https://www.gra.ie/documents/PayScales.pdf

Any of that pay you would describe as high?

I think most people, the ones I have talked to is said serious understaffing is the issue. Hence why the high number of hours worked per week.

The pay scales for everyones in government/public sector are available and if you researched them(quick google) then you would know that Garda are not highly paid which is the suggestion you are trying to make I think.

If you think the Garda are so well paid then I suggest you go and work for them.

SharkMX

I would want at least double that to be a Garda. There are hard jobs and there are hard jobs.

sniperman

with what garda have to deal with sometimes,they are well underpaid...same for nurses

Francis McM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324821/gardai-now-best-paid-workers-in-the-state-cso

Is it still the case that they can retire after 30 years with a guaranteed "Golden" pension too? That is a huge perk perk of the job, or at least used to be, not too many other people could retire by age of 50 or whatever on a nice tax free lump sum of 18 months pay plus 50% of income.

On a funny note, I remember a few decades ago some parents telling their children not to bother studying hard at school or getting a degree, just become Gardai instead. They probably did not want the cost of their third level, maybe they were half joking but they had a point.

Padre_Pio

As above, it's easy to make money with overtime payments.

If the Gardai were fully staffed the wages would come down.

Ten of Swords

Here is an Irish Times article from 2 months ago

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/08/31/garda-to-offer-better-pay-for-new-recruits-in-effort-to-increase-and-retain-staff/

Starting pay €34K up to €56K over 19 years. That does not compete at all with most industries or professions in the private sector.

If the CSO report shows a huge weekly average rate then there are 2 conclusions that can be drawn. There could be additional bonuses or premiums being paid to gardai mixed into the CSO figures and/or there are more gardai on higher base rates of pay because they have been serving for several years suggesting there are so few newer gardai on the lower rate.

Smee_Again

Aren't they working more overtime than ever before to make up for the lower numbers of Gardaí?

I'd like to see the median number of OT hours worked.

TheValeyard

You would want your Gardai well paid to attract the best individuals to carry out dangerous and difficult work that it is.

commis chefs and kitchen porters earn more money than a junior member of the Gardai.

They are certainly not paid well.

Also if that €80k figure is before tax etc wouldn’t the take home be around €50-55k?

I doubt there’s many garda on €80k a year either but anyway.

monkeybutter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429040#Comment_121429040

They are certainly not overpaid and this topic has come up many times.. but

in general, its neither difficult nor dangerous, in ireland, yes more dangerous than being an office worker, but not a farmer or a builder etc etc

most of it is plodding, monotonous, boring and safe, one of the more dangerous parts is the large amounts of driving being done and thus the change of a crash.

it also had the ability to be rewarding in a way most jobs can't

No doubt somewhat frustrating in parts also, blame the government, but that's the job

lbunnae

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429113#Comment_121429113

If you believe the above , how do you think they certainly arent overpaid?

monkeybutter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429118#Comment_121429118

because of the numbers quoted above

the main issue with being a garda, is well you are one

its has social repercussions.

The hours could be an issue too, but same as many jobs

Geuze

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121428933#Comment_121428933

As the State Pension does not start until 66, a current Garda will not be getting 50% of their former pay directly at retirement.

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324821/gardai-now-best-paid-workers-in-the-state-cso

They deserve every penny having to deal with the general public.

Hodors Appletart

If you work an extra two weeks worth of hours in every four week period, you'd be very well paid also.

This is a nonsense article, with a very claickbaitish headline.

Someone is doing a favour for Drew the way that article is presented.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429093#Comment_121429093

is it not accepted that wherever pay is reported, in any context its gross not net?

Regardless i wouldnt do it for double the pay, hard job imo.

hoodie6029

High pay, that’s why they’re leaving in their droves, low morale and can’t fill senior positions.

Can’t see it getting any better if opinion polls are anything to go by…..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429198#Comment_121429198

I would have to imagine it’s gross wage so before tax.

Geuze

All wages are always quoted gross, as taxes depend on the individual.

Here is the data:

https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-elcq/earningsandlabourcostsq22023finalq32023preliminaryestimates/

Geuze

Here are average weekly earnings by sector:

On a weekly basis, the Gardai are not top.

Geuze

On a weekly basis, the Gardai are the best paid in the PS:

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429297#Comment_121429297

I'd say the evidence is in the table above.

Every other PS sub-sector has wage fluctuation by about €100 a week over the past 5 years.

Gardai have €500 a week.

That is all allowances and overtime, not basic pay.

PokeHerKing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429187#Comment_121429187

Plenty of jobs deal with the general public 🤣

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429322#Comment_121429322

Gardai deal with the "general" public.

reactadabtc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121428895#Comment_121428895

19 years to get to 55K. Why would you take that job?

Francis McM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429182#Comment_121429182

Can, and do Gardai not still retire with a 18 months tax free lump sum and half salary after only 30 years service?

Is it not a case that between the garda penion and the state pension , they always get 50%?

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121429322#Comment_121429322

Do those jobs involve arresting criminals and putting your life on the line to keep the peace?

I look forward to your reply 😂

MegamanBoo

I think most of our public servants would be quite well paid, were it not for the housing costs a lot of people face in Ireland.

I'd say there's nothing the government would love to do more right now than give generous wage increases to certain groups of public servants that are in high demand, gardai, teachers, GPs etc.

The problem is they'll then have to increases wages across public pay, which will put further massive inflationary pressure on housing.

So many of our problems stem from housing failures. I guess that's what happens when you ignore a decade of warning signs to increase supply!

El Gato De Negocios

Whatever they are being paid is not enough for what they have to deal with. And the overtime isn't earned for nothing. Guards and nurses should be the best paid of our public sector works but in reality, considering what many have to deal with on a day to day basis, they are probably the worst.