Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which plans are afoot to increase the number of gardaí to an optimum level, given the obvious need for such measures in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18057/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment.
The Deputy will appreciate that 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. I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
As of the end of March 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,036 Garda members and 3,130 Garda staff whose presence increases the availability of Gardaí to concentrate on frontline policing duties. This represents respective increases of almost 10% and 56% since end December 2015. In addition, since 2015, almost 900 Garda members have been freed up from back office duties to front line policing because of civilianisation.
The Government has provided funding for 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter Templemore approximately every 11 weeks.
As the Deputy will be aware the most recent An Garda Síochána recruitment campaign closed on 14 April 2023 and will ensure a steady pipeline of new Garda members into 2024.
My Department and I engage regularly with the Garda authorities with a view to ensuring that every possible support is in place to deliver on this level of recruitment.
