Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:258. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the final numbers for recruitment, resignations and retirements in An Garda Síochána for 2023. [2283/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 January 2024
Ceisteanna (258)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
This is reflected in the allocation of over €2.3 billion in 2024 to An Garda Síochána, which represents more than a 20% increase since 2020. This funding is allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
There has also been a significant increase in the training allowance paid to trainees to €305 per week, and the maximum age of recruitment has been increased from 35 to 50.
The Government will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including to invest in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings.
Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College . While there were 319 retirements and 169 resignations in 2023, 746 trainees entered Templemore last year. This is the highest intake into Templemore since 2018. A new Garda recruitment competition launched this week and will help ensure a steady pipeline on recruits entering Templemore in the near future.
The total intake for 2023 represents a six-fold increase on 2022’s intake of 116.
As the Deputy will be aware, the maximum recruitment age for Gardaí has been increased to 50 and I hope to be in a position to increase the retirement age in the coming months.