Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2016
27. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is concerned at the number of gardaí leaving An Garda Síochána compared to the number of new recruits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2846/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí who have departed from An Garda Síochána owing to voluntary retirement, compulsory retirement, cost neutral early retirement, medical discharge, and resignation, was 281 in 2015.
This Government is committed to renewing An Garda Síochána to ensure that it has the capacity to deliver effective policing services throughout the country. To this end, since the Garda College reopened in September 2014 (following the lifting of the moratorium on recruitment), there have been six intakes of Garda Trainees, giving a total intake of 550. So far 296 have attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide. The increased budget allocation for An Garda Síochána this year provides for the recruitment of an additional 600 trainee Gardaí. It is expected that a further 395 will attest by the end of this year which, taking account of projected retirements, will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark. I expect recruitment to continue at or around the current levels for the next number of years having regard to factors such as the level of retirements in any one year. I can assure the Deputy that projected retirements are kept under continuing review and the level of recruitment adjusted as necessary.
