Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Personnel.

Noel Treacy

Question:

91 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Justice the number of voluntary retirements from the Garda Síochána since 1 January 1994; the number of gardaí recruited in this period; her views on the level of voluntary retirement from the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18418/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The details of Garda voluntary retirements for the period 1 January 1994 to date in 1996 and recruitment to the force for the corresponding period are as follows:

Year	Voluntary Retirements	Recruitment
1994	217	407
1995	199	350
1996	107	337
(up to 10-10-96 incl.)

The policy of An Garda Síochána is to grant voluntary retirement to any qualified member requesting same. Under the terms of Article 4 of the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1925, members are entitled to retire on reaching 50 years of age provided they have completed 30 years of "Approved Service" or 25 years of "Approved Service" in the case of those who opted for the 25 years condition.

The number of voluntary retirements in 1994 and 1995 were higher than average, which is believed to have been prompted by the implementation of an agreement reached at the Garda Conciliation Council in 1994 which provided for the pensionability of certain unsocial hours allowances. It is expected that voluntary retirements will level out with effect from this year, as indicated by the lower figure for 1996.