Cathal Crowe
Question:69. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice how many applications were received for the Garda trainee competition 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17995/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (69)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can however assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to continue to deliver on its mission of Keeping People Safe.
Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána. This includes funding for 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter Templemore approximately every 11 weeks.
With this momentum building through the year, we remain committed to the target of 1,000 new Gardaí this year. An Garda Síochána also recently launched a new recruitment campaign which closed on 14 April 2023. I would like to encourage anyone called as part of the 2022 or 2023 competition not to defer but to make sure they’re fully fit and ready to take up the opportunity.
As the Deputy can appreciate the campaign is managed by the Public Applications Service (PAS) on behalf of An Garda Síochána. I have sought information on the number of applications for this campaign and will be able to inform the Deputy when this information is to hand.