Gardai criticised over charging regime for concerts, festivals and sporting events

The Comptroller & Auditor General has found "significant weaknesses" in the way in which An Garda Siochana collects fees for the policing of non-public duty events such as concerts, festivals and large sporting events.

In its Report on the Public Services for 2023, the C&AG found there is a risk of "financial loss to the Exchequer and subsidisation of the event operators who are, in some cases, private profit-seeking entities".

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 allows the Garda Commissioner to set charges to recover any costs incurred associated with policing non-public duty events - on public or private property.

However, the C&AG which reviewed 15 sample events from 2023, notes that because the costs incurred in policing such events are not separately reported, "it is difficult to assess if An Garda Síochána is recovering an appropriate level of costs associated with the policing of NPD events".

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While the report notes that a revised procedure was implemented by An Garda Siochana in September 2023 resulting in the charging of a flat rate of €45 per member per hour, concerns have been expressed that this does not cover the actual costs involved.

"The €45 flat rate does not reflect additional overtime rates or allowances payable for duty on Sundays or bank holidays. The flat rate charge also has not been revised to take account of pay increases awarded since April 2023," states the report.

"Consequently, the charge rate reflects an assumed cost rather than the actual costs. If the charges levied in respect of policing NPD events are less than the costs incurred, the unrecovered portion of costs is ultimately funded by the Exchequer," it adds.

Another issue of concern highlighted in the report relates to the fact that the roster and duty management system utilised  by gardai is not currently used to record and manage hours worked, associated overtime and allowances in relation to non-public duty events which can result in event organisers being undercharged.

The C&AG report also criticised the absence of comprehensive records and the way in which gardai currently seek to recoup the costs of policing NPD events.

"The examination found that An Garda Síochána does not have sufficient and reliable information available on the actual costs incurred in policing NPD events. As such, An Garda Síochána cannot determine whether or not an appropriate level of costs for the provision of Garda services at NPD events is being recovered".

The examination of the sample events carried out by the C&AG found no evidence that An Garda Síochána carries out a retrospective review of the appropriateness of the charges levied, despite the requirement that a "thorough debriefing should be completed" after NPD events.