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 the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can, however, 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. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.3 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
In addition to new recruits, the roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing across the country. The new model will see larger Divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 29 February 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 13,930 Garda members nationwide. 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.
The full information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile. However, to be of assistance I have provided the information below on Garda numbers. Please be advised that all the information provided is operational and may be subject to change.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members nationwide for the years 2007 up to the end of February 2024.
|
Garda Workforce
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
29/02/2024
|
|
Total
|
13,755
|
14,412
|
14,547
|
14,377
|
13,894
|
13,424
|
13,093
|
12,799
|
12,816
|
12,943
|
13,551
|
14,032
|
14,307
|
14,491
|
14,235
|
14,133
|
13,998
|
13,930
|
The table below sets out the number of trainees who entered the Garda college in the years 2014 up to 2024 and the number of Garda members who attested in those years.
|
Year
|
Intake
|
Attested in year
|
|
2014
|
200
|
0
|
|
2015
|
351
|
296
|
|
2016
|
651
|
393
|
|
2017
|
811
|
883
|
|
2018
|
799
|
789
|
|
2019
|
600
|
605
|
|
2020
|
275
|
522
|
|
2021
|
384
|
148
|
|
2022
|
116
|
370
|
|
2023
|
746
|
388
|
|
2024
|
186
|
165
|
|
Total
|
5,119
|
4,559
|
The table below sets out the number of Garda members who retired in the years 2013 up to the end of March 2024.
|
Year
|
Retirements (Voluntary, Compulsory, Early)
|
|
2013
|
296
|
|
2014
|
249
|
|
2015
|
238
|
|
2016
|
228
|
|
2017
|
226
|
|
2018
|
218
|
|
2019
|
223
|
|
2020
|
250
|
|
2021
|
294
|
|
2022
|
340
|
|
2023
|
319
|
|
Jan-24
|
16
|
|
Feb-24
|
25
|
|
Mar-24
|
24
|
|
Total
|
2,946
|
I am advised that information in relation to the number of Garda members on sick leave from 2019 up to February 2024 can be found in the Garda Commissioner reports to the Policing Authority. I have copied a link to this information for reference.
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-authority/
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/
