Vol. 430 No. 7
34 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí who retired during 1992; the number expected to retire during 1993; if these Gardaí will be replaced; if she intends to reinstate the scheme to allow Gardaí to remain in the force beyond the 57 year retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
36 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the average age profile of the total Garda Force is showing a decidedly ageing characteristic due to lack of recruitment at the bottom level and the later retirement at the mature level; her views on this trend; and the action, if any, she will take to reverse this development.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 36 together.
It is interesting to note the opposing views of the Opposition Deputies who have put down these questions.
With regard to Question No. 34, a total of 133 members of the Garda Síochána left the Force in 1992, 89 of whom retired on age grounds. It is estimated that 320 will leave in 1993, 253 of whom will be retiring on age grounds.
The Garda Associations which represent the levels of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector were informed at a meeting of the Conciliation Council on 19 February 1993, that the temporary extension of the retirement age, which applied to these ranks and lapsed on 31 December, 1992 would not be reinstated. The concession was originally introduced because of the time-lag involved in recruiting additional gardaí from the Garda recruitment campaign which commenced in 1988. With regard to Question No. 36, I am aware that the average age of the Force is high and of the need to increase the number of younger members. Deputies will be aware that 1,000 gardaí are being recruited at present — 372 of whom have already commenced training. I intend to accelerate the level of intake of the remainder of these recruits as promised in the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997.
These measures will lead to a reduction in the average age of the Force.
