Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
41. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí that are expected to retire or resign from the force in 2023 and if the numbers of gardaí to be recruited will exceed those retiring and resigning. [7514/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, resource management, such as succession planning, is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. This Government has provided record Garda funding to allow for sustained recruitment and is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. The Commissioner and his team have assured me that the target to recruit 1,000 new sworn Gardaí in 2023 will be achieved this year.
I have been informed by Garda authorities that, as of 10 February 2023, 172 members have submitted their application to retire/resign in 2023. Figures include voluntary and compulsory retirements, cost neutral early retirements and resignations only. There are also an additional 68 members who are due to retire on a compulsory retirement basis to the year end.
I am advised that there have been 42 departures from An Garda Síochána in the period 1 January to 10 February 2023. This figure includes voluntary and compulsory retirements, medical discharges and resignations.
Coupled with further reassignments of Gardaí to operational frontline policing and the continued roll out of the new Operating Model with its focus on community engagement, I am confident that the Commissioner has suitable resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.
