Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
67. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí nationwide at the end of June 2022 or the latest date available; the equivalent number of at the end of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe government has allocated An Garda Síochána with an unprecedented budget of over €2 billion for 2022. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now at over 14,300 Garda members and over 3,100 Garda staff nationwide. The Deputy may be aware that there was a very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with over 11,000 people applying to become a member. The recruitment process is continuing to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that on 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,347 Garda members across the country. At the end of 2020, that number was 14,491.
As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda numbers nationwide can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an exceptional impact across the country over the past two years.
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and updated on a monthly basis.
