Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
429. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda recruits who passed through Templemore Garda Training College in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52506/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that.
Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.31 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
Numbers in Templemore continue to increase, with attestations every 3 months. 135 trainees entered the training college in February, 154 entered in May, 174 entered in July, and another 177 entered the college in October, the largest intake since Covid.
This means that nearly 500 trainees are currently in the system, with one more class due into Templemore on December 27. 237 new Gardaí have attested so far this year, and the next Attestation is scheduled for 12 January.
Detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station is published by my Department, and may be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have appended a table of probationer Gardaí for the years requested to this answer. Please note that these figures are up to October 13, the latest date for which figures are available .
