Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
282. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda trainees that will be recruited to the Garda College in Templemore in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53352/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility to manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members.
The Garda Commissioner has informed me that it is his intention to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí in 2019. At the same time, it is his intention to recruit a net 600 Garda Staff (civilians). This will facilitate the redeployment of 500 Gardaí from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019.
The level of recruitment of Garda members and Garda staff planned by the Commissioner for 2019 will ensure that the Government's commitment to the strength of An Garda Síochána reaching 15,000 Garda members and 4,000 Garda staff in 2021 is achieved.
I fully support the Commissioner’s management decision which will ensure that increasing numbers of Gardaí are available for frontline duties in 2019 and beyond. This is in line with the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland's recommendation that the Garda Commissioner should have the flexibility, within overall Government policy, to determine how he uses the resources at his disposal to deliver an effective and efficient policing service. The Government today endorsed the Commission's Report and published an Implementation Plan entitled 'A Policing Service for the Future'.
