Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To answer the initial question about the reason for the underspend this year, we had funded for the higher end of that target. There were 746 trainees last year. Obviously, we do not have the full and final number for this year. While I appreciate we have not reached the higher end of our target, a number of things have been done to ensure we can increase Garda numbers, not just this year but looking at next year and beyond. For example, the age at which people can join has been increased. The retirement age has also been increased. While that will only do so much, we are already seeing fewer people retiring this year. When people stay longer, that is obviously reflected in the overall numbers.

On top of that, we acknowledge we need to look beyond what has already been done between allowances and other elements. Earlier this year, I established a separate committee to look specifically at what more can be done to increase the numbers coming into the Garda College. It will also look at whether there are different ways in which we can provide Garda training for members, acknowledging that people go to college in different ways now. With hybrid training, there may be an option to provide accommodation or training closer to where people live as well. Obviously, if people are joining later in life when they have mortgages and huge commitments, travelling and staying away from home is a major burden. We need to look at all of these issues in the round and acknowledge that we are in a changing environment. We need to be ambitious and do everything that we can.