Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:57. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice how many fully trained gardaí are projected to be available for duty at the end of 2023; and what the target is for the end of 2024. [55124/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 December 2023
Ceisteanna (57)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.31 billion for 2024 is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.
At the end of October 2023, there were 13,940 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of almost 9% since 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.
The closure of the Garda College to intakes for much of 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 had a significant impact on Garda numbers. However, the number of recruits has continued to grow since its reopening.
A total of 637 trainees entered the training college so far in 2023. Another class is due to enter Templemore in December putting An Garda Síochána on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.
237 new Gardaí have attested so far in 2023. I welcome the Garda Commissioner's decision to bring forward the next attestation, which was scheduled for 12 January, has been brought forward to 15 December. A similar approach was taken in March 2020 when two classes attested early to support the policing response to Covid-19.
I understand that over 150 trainees will attest on this date and will be deployed for policing duties over the Christmas period. They will return to the college to complete their studies at a later date.
It is expected that 800 - 1000 new Gardaí will be recruited in 2024.