Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1467. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of additional gardaí hired since the formation of the Government on a county-by-county basis in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44088/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. Additionally, the Commissioner is responsible under Section 33 of the Act for the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 4,005 new recruits have attested as Gardaí and been assigned to duties nationwide. This includes the 518 Probationer Gardaí who have attested since the formation of the Government in June 2020.
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station can be found on my Department’s website.
The information can be found at the following link: Probationer Gardaí - The Department of Justice (www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Probationer_Garda%C3%AD)
