Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí available throughout the country on a full-time basis; the extent to which this number has fluctuated over the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44442/23]
View answer167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to increase the strength of An Garda Síochána in the short-term in all divisions throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44446/23]
View answer169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she expects to be in a position to accelerate the training of extra gardaí in Templemore or elsewhere with a view to calling on extra numbers to meet policing standards and requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44448/23]
View answer170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she proposes to augment the strength of An Garda Síochána in accordance with the need for an increased Garda presence throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44449/23]
View answer173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently available in each division throughout the country on average on duty at any given time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44454/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 167, 169, 170 and 173 together.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
This level of funding is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with a new batch of recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks this year. I am delighted that the fourth class of 2023 will commence in the Garda College on next Monday, with approximately 125 new Gardaí due to attest on this Friday. Thanks to the funding provided in this week's Budget, this recruitment activity will continue through 2024 with a view to recruiting between 800 and 1000 Gardaí next year.
There has been an acceleration in the number of recruits entering Templemore. This follows the closure of the Garda College during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the very challenging recruitment situation, against a background of record full employment, it is notable that An Garda Síochána continue to attract a large number of quality candidates who want to join the service.
As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. I have no role in these operational matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of the 31 August 2023, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 13,910 Garda members. This represents an increase of almost 9% since the end of December 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.
I am further informed that it is not possible to provide a figure for the number of Gardaí on duty at any one time due to the fluctuating nature of crossovers, rosters, and other necessary changes.
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.
Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
