Cathal Crowe
Question:142. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice when she expects the Garda training college in Templemore to intake its next group of recruits. [57699/21]
View answerWednesday, 24 November 2021
Questions (142)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
As the Deputy will be aware, public health restrictions have unavoidably impacted on intakes to the Garda College, Templemore, particularly in 2020. I am advised, however, that the College has resumed intakes this year and that four intakes of a total of 385 recruits have commenced training, the most recent of which was on 15 November 2021.
An Garda Síochána have advised that a recruitment plan for 2022 is currently being developed to manage the recruitment processes for Garda members and Garda staff roles. Implementation will of course be dependent on public health guidelines but I very much hope it will be possible to maximise the intake to Templemore next year.
The matter of dates for future intakes is, of course, under the remit of the Commissioner. I am advised that An Garda Síochána intends to hold a recruitment campaign early in 2022. Budget 2022 provides for the recruitment of up to 800 additional Gardaí next year as part of the unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána.