Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
423. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the number of new recruits to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in the corresponding timeframe; and the number of resignations from An Garda Síochána. [4136/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Budget 2024 to An Garda Síochána, a 23% increase since 2020. This funding provides for 800-1000 new Garda recruits across 2024, with the aim of growing the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 and beyond.
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 during Covid-19, with 746 trainees entering Templemore last year. A new Garda recruitment competition launched on 15 January and will help ensure a steady pipeline of recruits entering Templemore in the near future. The total intake of 746 for 2023 represents a six-fold increase on the 2022 intake of 116. It is the highest intake into the Garda College since 2018.
The table below sets out the number of Gardaí attested by year since 2018 up to end of 2023. I expect the number of recruits in 2024 will increase further with high numbers going through the Garda College at present.
|
Year |
Intake to phase 1 total |
Attested in year |
|
2018 |
799 |
789 |
|
2019 |
600 |
605 |
|
2020 |
275 |
522 |
|
2021 |
384 |
148 |
|
2022 |
116 |
370 |
|
2023 |
746 |
388 |
|
Total |
2,920 |
2,822 |
The table below sets out the number of Garda retirements and resignations from 2018 up to 2023, and to date in 2024. These figures include Voluntary Retirements, Compulsory Retirements and Cost Neutral Early Retirements.
|
Year |
Retirements (Voluntary, Compulsory, Early) |
Resign |
Total |
|
2018 |
218 |
77 |
295 |
|
2019 |
223 |
72 |
295 |
|
2020 |
250 |
70 |
320 |
|
2021 |
294 |
94 |
388 |
|
2022 |
340 |
109 |
449 |
|
2023 |
319 |
169 |
488 |
|
2024 up to 26 January |
16 |
16 |
32 |
|
Total |
1,660 |
607 |
2,267 |
It is worth noting that all information supplied is operational and subject to change.
As 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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
