Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Statistics.

Ben Briscoe

Ceist:

166 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have retired, resigned or otherwise left the force in each of the years from 1985 to date in 1996; and the corresponding number of gardaí who entered the force in each of those years. [17970/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The details of Garda retirements, resignations and recruitment for each of the years from 1985 to date in 1996 are as set out in the following table.

Year	Retirements, Resignations & Other	Recruitment
1985	245	253
1986	275	339
1987	289	45
1988	332	Nil
1989	277	348
1990	160	358
1991	183	311
1992	133	275
1993	372	324
1994	472	407
1995	446	350
1996 (1 Jan. to 8 Oct.)	244	337

Ben Briscoe

Ceist:

167 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Justice the number of serving gardaí in each of the years from 1985 to date in 1996. [17971/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The total number of serving gardaí — all ranks —in each of the years from 1985 to present is as follows:

Garda Strength 1985 — Present

Year (1 January)	Garda Strength	Year (1 January)	Garda Strength
1985	11,387*	1992	10,786
1986	11,396*	1993	10,984
1987	11,382*	1994	10,892
1988	11,109*	1995	10,837
1989	10,749	1996	10,825
1990	10,472
1991	10,601

*I should point out that prior to 1989 Garda recruits were included in the overall strength figures. Since April 1989, with the introduction of the two year training programme for recruits, only those members who have been attested to the force: i.e. completed Phase 3 of training, are included in the overall strength of the force. In addition to the current strength of 10,801, there are also 428 probationers in Phases 1, 2, and 3 giving an equivalent to the 1985 number of 11,250 approximately.

It is important to note that as of 30 September 1996 there were more than 680 civilians staff working in clerical administrative positions with the Garda Síochána.

Incidentally, I would like to express regret for an error in the 1988 figure which was included in response to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 1 March 1995 — Volume 449 No. 8, column 2138. The correct figure is as shown above.