Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
465. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on Garda Síochána recruitment; the number of gardaí in the force at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28841/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these commenced their training. The remaining 100 entered the college in February this year. In addition I received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the further intake of 250 recruits in 2015. It is expected that there will be a further intake into the Garda College of 100 trainees later this month, with two further intakes scheduled for October and December of this year. This will bring the number of new recruits to 550 by the end of 2015.
The September intake of recruits attested as members of the Garda Síochána on 23 April 2015 and further attestations are scheduled to take place in July and September.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of An Garda Síochána as of 31 May 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,772. There are also 1,057 Garda Reserves and just over 2,000 civilians attached to An Garda Síochána.
