Denise Mitchell
Ceist:648. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the number of new gardaí expected to graduate in 2021. [24270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 11 May 2021
Ceisteanna (648, 649)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:649. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí expected to retire in 2021. [24271/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 649 together.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the information requested by the Deputy, however, this report was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the report is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question numbers 648 and 649 of 11 May 2021 where you asked the number of new Gardaí expected to graduate in 2021 and the number of Gardaí expected to retire in 2021, respectively.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the requested information was available.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí expected to graduate from the BA in Applied Policing programme in 2021 is 450.
It should be noted, however, that graduation is different from attestation. It is only when a person is attested that they become a member of An Garda Síochána and are conferred with the powers of a Garda under common and statute law.
A member of An Garda Síochána may be attested as a Probationer Garda but not yet have graduated from the BA in Applied Policing. Probationer Gardaí are required to successfully complete the full, two-year BA in Applied Policing before graduating. As such, none of the 148 Probationer Gardaí attested to date in 2021 will graduate from the programme this year. The figure of 450 quoted above is made up of Gardaí who are expected to complete their two year BA in Applied Policing this year, subject to ongoing Public Health restrictions. Graduation from the BA in Applied Policing is conferred in a separate ceremony from attestation as a member of An Garda Síochána. No graduation ceremony has been held as of yet for 2021, therefore, there are currently no graduates of the BA in Applied Policing for 2021, as of 12 May 2021.
In relation to the number of Gardaí expected to retire in 2021, I have been advised of the following by the Garda authorities. The below table outlines the number of Garda members by rank who have retired, or submitted their application to retire, in 2021 as of 7 May 2021.
|
Com |
D/Com |
AC |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp. |
Sgt |
Garda |
Total |
|
|
2021 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
10 |
64 |
138 |
225 |
These figures include voluntary retirements, compulsory retirements, cost neutral early retirements, resignations, medical discharges, dismissals and deaths in service.
As such, the figures are operational and subject to change depending on a range of factors, including further applications for voluntary retirement, resignations, medical discharges or deaths in service.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that there are approximately 900 Members eligible to retire for the remainder of 2021, however, it would not be possible to confirm how many of these will retire before year end.
For comparison, there were 339 departures of Garda Members in 2020. This figure again included compulsory, voluntary and cost neutral retirements, medical discharges, resignations, dismissals and deaths in service.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Question No. 649 answered with Question No. 648.
Question No. 650 answered with Question No. 617.