Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
144. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí currently serving in An Garda Síochána; the projected number eligible for retirement over the next five years; the expected impact on policing capacity; the measures being taken to address recruitment and retention challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12859/25]
View answerThe overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, civilian staff and Reserves is almost 18,000. There are currently over 14,150 Garda members across the country, which represents an increase of over 10% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country
It is the case that once a Garda has completed 30 years of service they may opt to retire on full pension at age 50 if they joined before 1 April 2004, or at 55 years of age if they joined on or after that date.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a cumulative figure of 1,640 Gardaí will become eligible to retire by 2030. That, of course, does not mean that that number will retire over the next 5 years, only that they will be eligible to do so. For example, a Garda member may have 30 years’ service at age 55, but may not retire for the next 7 years until they reach the mandatory retirement of 62.
In September 2024, the Government increased the age of mandatory retirement age for Gardaí from 60 to 62. This means that Gardaí who wish to work on to 62 may do so. Government took this decision on foot of a request from the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Associations. Since 2020, the Department of Justice has processed almost 185 requests for retirement extensions. It is clear that there is a real appetite for this in An Garda Síochána.
Growing the number of serving Gardaí is a key priority and the Programme for Government includes a commitment to recruiting an additional 5,000 new Garda recruits and additional Garda Staff over the next five years.
Recruitment measures introduced include increasing the maximum age of recruits to 50 and increasing the trainee allowance to €354 per week, while retention measures include increasing the retirement age from 60-62.
The latest Garda Recruitment campaign ran in February and received over 6,700 applications, which is an increase on the 6,300 who applied last year and the 5,000 applications received in 2023. On 10 March 2025, 201 trainees entered the Garda college at Templemore, which follows the attestation of 149 Gardaí on 7 March 2025.
A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established, chaired by my Department, to support the achievement of increased recruitment. The Group will advise me on actions being taking to maximise future intakes and to ensure the 2025 recruitment campaigns can be as successful as possible. The Group will also provide a final report by the summer which I expect will include further measures to support recruitment and retention.
With respect to the provision of policing capacity, the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
