Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.

Joe Costello

Question:

230 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people recruited to the Garda Síochána in each of the past five years; the number of serving gardaí who retired or resigned in each of the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13112/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of personnel who have been recruited to the Garda Síochána and the number of serving Gardaí who resigned or retired from the force in each of the past five years is as follows.

Year	Recruited	Retired or Resigned
1998	550	323
1999	570	330
2000	508	368
2001	500	322
2002	546	407

Recruitment is currently proceeding with a view to bringing the strength of the force up to its maximum authorised level of 12,200 by 2004.