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Garda Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Ceisteanna (204, 205, 206)

James Lawless

Ceist:

204. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have retired from 2015 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28995/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Lawless

Ceist:

205. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have joined the force from 2015 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28996/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Lawless

Ceist:

206. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the current number of gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28997/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 to 206, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years and those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years service. Gardaí have the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60, subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that they are fully competent and available to undertake their duties.

I have set out below the number of retirements in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, as provided to me by the Garda authorities. The Deputy will note that these figures include compulsory and voluntary retirements, as well as cost neutral early retirements.

Year

Total Retirements

2020* as of 30 September

164

2019

223

2018

218

2017

226

2016

228

2015

238

I am advised by the Garda authorities that projected departures are kept under continuous review and that the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, 3,488 probationers have attested and been assigned to frontline policing duties nationwide, including the new probationers that attested this year.

The resources provided to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff and as a result, An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. There are now over 14,600 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow. Taken together, this increase in the number of Garda members and staff is delivering a significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide.

The Deputy may wish to know that detailed information in relation to the allocation of probationer Gardaí is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/008_Allocation_of_Probationer_Gardaí_by_Division_and_Station_2014_to_July_2020.xlsx/Files/008_Allocation_of_Probationer_Gardaí_by_Division_and_Station_2014_to_July_2020.xlsx

The Deputy may also wish to know that detailed information in relation to Garda numbers, including figures for the years 2015 and up to and including 31 August 2020 is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, at the following link:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_July_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_July_2020.xlsx

Additional information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available at the following link:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures

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