Willie O'Dea
Ceist:36. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the number of new gardaí who have been recruited to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52412/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 October 2022
Ceisteanna (36)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion, an increase of €78 million on last year. This unprecedented amount will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of August this year, there are 14,283 Garda members, supported by over 3,117 whole time equivalent Garda staff. This represents an increase of almost 12% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country.
I am further informed that a total of 369 new Garda members have attested from the Garda college this year.
The latest recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána in 2022 saw more than 11,000 people express interest in joining the service and the first successful candidates from the campaign will enter the Garda college at the end of November this year. Another campaign will open next year to help ensure consistent entry of recruits into the Garda college.