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Garda Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2019

Thursday, 24 October 2019

Questions (128, 129)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

128. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the first and full-year cost of hiring an additional ten members of An Garda Síochána; the cost of those members for the second, third, fourth and fifth year, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44136/19]

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Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

129. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the first and full-year cost of hiring an additional 100 members of An Garda Síochána; the cost of those members for the second, third, fourth and fifth year, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44137/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.

The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion, as well as capital investment amounting to €92 million. I am pleased to have secured an overall increase of €122 million to increase An Garda Síochána’s budget for 2020 to an unprecedented €1.882 billion for next year in addition to €116million in capital investment.  This level of funding will allow the Garda Commissioner to recruit up to 700 new Gardaí next year and additional Garda staff, the balance of which will be an operational matter for the Commissioner to decide. 

This ongoing investment is intended to support growth in the organisation as well as the ambitious Garda reform plan, with the overall goal of ensuring a visible, professional and effective policing service to all our communities, urban and rural, now and into the future.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of personnel.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources and distribution of personnel are a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands.

I am pleased to say that recruitment of Garda members and staff is ongoing - An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. We currently have over 14,200 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 2,800 Garda staff. And as part of the Government’s plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, there is ongoing and increased recruitment both of new Gardaí as well as Garda staff, allowing for redeployment of Gardaí to operational duties at the front-line.

Since the reopening of the Garda Training College in 2014, approximately 2,800 new Garda members have attested and been assigned to frontline policing duties in communities throughout the country. Another 200 probationer Gardaí are due to attest by the end of this year. Further, the Garda Commissioner’s decision to recruit a net 600 Garda staff in 2019 will allow for the redeployment of approximately 500 experienced Gardaí to frontline and visible policing duties by the end of this year. 

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the approximate cost of hiring an additional 10 members and an additional 100 members of An Garda Síochána in 2020 and the costs of those members for the second, third, fourth and fifth year. I am further informed that this estimate assumes that all new recruits commence training on 1 January 2020.

Number of Recruits

Year 1 - 2020

Year 2 -  2021

Year 3 - 2022

Year 4 - 2023

Year 5 -  2024

10

239,071

467,545

497,016

533,931

560,757

100

2,390,710

4,675,450

4,970,160

5,339,310

5,607,570

I am further informed that it should be noted that payroll costs for new Garda recruits include a basic allowance of €184 per week.  After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €30,980 (on the basis of the pay scale which will be in operation on completion of training in August 2020).  These figures include Employer's PRSI and an estimate of allowances which Garda members may qualify for depending on their assignments.  Finally, I am informed that the annual cost will increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year.

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