Pa Daly
Question:255. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the first- and full-year cost of paying Garda trainees a training allowance at the lowest point on the Garda pay scale for the duration of their training. [17241/24]
View answerThursday, 18 April 2024
Questions (255)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all recruitment and training matters. As Minister I have no role in these matters.
I am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to deliver on their mission of 'Keep People Safe'. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024 which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology. This includes increasing the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week to further support recruitment.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the lowest point of the current pay scale for a Garda member after attestation from the Garda College is €35,322 per annum. This equates to €676.93 per week. Garda Trainees currently undertake 35 weeks training at a rate of €305 per week training allowance.
Food and accommodation are provided by the Garda College. In addition, boot and uniform allowances of €7.32 per week are paid to both trainees and attested Garda currently.
To provide for 1 Garda to be trained at the rate of point 1 on the pay scale would require an estimated €26,594.93 per trainee. This figure is inclusive of Employer’s PRSI at 11.05%.
This figure does not include travel/subsistence or other allowances payable when a trainee is assigned to a training station.