Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
58 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda at the latest date for which figures are available; the number expected to be recruited during 2005; the number expected to retire or otherwise leave the force during 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32493/04]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as of 6 December 2004 was 12,252, covering all ranks.
The Government recently approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment in this regard under the agreed programme for Government. To achieve that, it is planned to recruit almost 1,100 new recruits every year for the next three years. The advertising campaign for this first tranche of 1,100 recruits was launched on Thursday, 25 November 2004.
Some 130 members of all ranks of the Garda Síochána will retire during 2005 on compulsory age grounds. In addition, the Garda authorities project, on the basis of averages from previous years, that an additional 321 members will either choose to retire having attained 30 years' service and reached the age of 50 or otherwise retire or resign.
The commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage the additional resources outlined above. Of course, they will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences but it will also be possible to address other priorities, such as the need to increase significantly the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high visibility policing, where they will have a real impact.
