I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that 1,287 recruits have graduated from the Garda College since 6 June 2002. This figure refers to those members who have successfully completed the student-probationer education-training programme.
I am further informed that a total of 1,072 members across all ranks have resigned, retired or otherwise left the Garda Síochána since the 6 June 2002. A total of 1,563 recruits have been attested to the Garda Síochána in the same period. Garda trainees are attested to the force on successful completion of phase three of their training. On attestation, Garda trainees are serving members of the force. Therefore the strength of the force has increased by 491 members since June 2002.
Formal graduation takes place following the completion of the fifth and final phase of training. Therefore, the serving strength of the force at any given time includes those who have been attested following completion of phase 3 of their training but have not yet formally graduated.