Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Cavan Monaghan who have retired or resigned in 2023; and the number of new recruits whom have been assigned to these counties in 2023. [55096/23]
View answerThe 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 unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.31 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána 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 to new intakes for much of 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 had a significant impact on Garda numbers. Since the end of the pandemic, the number of recruits has accelerated. A total of 637 trainees entered the training college so far in 2023. Another class is due to enter Templemore this month putting An Garda Síochána on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.
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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. 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.
At the end of October 2023, there were 370 Garda members assigned to Cavan/Monaghan Division. This represents an increase of over 16% since 2015. These Garda members are supported by 59 Garda staff.
I am advised that since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014 a total of 144 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division, this includes the 3 Probationer Gardaí who were assigned to the Division this year.
I am further advised that the number of Garda members that have resigned and retired from the Cavan/Monaghan Division in 2023 is too low to report for data protection reasons (less than 10).
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures
Please not that all figures provided are operational and may be subject to change.
