Thomas Gould
Question:541. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí graduating from Templemore in the latest allocation. [54769/23]
View answerTuesday, 12 December 2023
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Written answers
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
The Government has allocated the highest ever budget to An Garda Síochána. The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.31 billion for 2024 demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has 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 new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.
The closure of the Garda College for much of 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 had a significant impact on Garda numbers. However, the number of recruits has continued to grow since its re-opening. A total of 637 trainees entered the training college so far in 2023. Another class is due to enter Templemore in December putting An Garda Síochána on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.
The next attestation, which was scheduled for the 12 January, has been brought forward to the 15 December. Over 150 trainees will attest on this date and will be deployed for policing duties over the Christmas period.
It is important to note that they will return to the college to complete their studies at a later date. A similar approach was taken in March 2020 when two classes attested early to support the policing response to COVID-19.