Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I cannot provide a separate breakdown of the figure for Garda recruits, but it would not amount to much in the context of the overall payroll budget. The additional allocation of €40 million provided in the budget represents a 5% increase, compared with the corresponding figure in the 2014 Estimates. It is effectively to cover payroll costs and allowances.

To return to the point about recruits, the salary differential between new recruits when they are attested and members at retirement stage is significant. It will lead to some savings in the payroll bill next year. That is why what we have sought for next year is lower than the amount in the Supplementary Estimate for this year.