Brendan Griffin
Question:410. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who retired in 2023 and the average age of retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56198/23]
View answerThursday, 14 December 2023
Questions (410)
Written answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 14 December 2023 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí who retired in 2023 and the average age of retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
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 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 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 in December putting An Garda Síochána on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.
As you 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 however 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 November 2023, there were 13,882 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of over 8% since 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.
388 new Gardaí have attested so far this year, including the 151 trainees who attested on the 15 December. These new trainees will be deployed for policing duties over the Christmas period and will return to the college to complete their studies at a later date.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that has been 308 retirements from An Garda Síochána in 2023, up to 12 December 2023. This includes Voluntary, Compulsory Retirements and Cost Neutral Early Retirements.
I am further advised that the average age of retirement is 57 Years of age.
I trust this information is of assistance.