Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is used across the board. The overtime budget is fairly significant. The overtime budget for 2025 is just over €150 million, which represents an increase of nearly 60% over the previous figure, €94 million. Expenditure on overtime so far this year is ahead of profile by 26%, or nearly €19 million. Sixty percent of the budget had been spent at the end of May, on nearly 2 million overtime hours. Expenditure is just under €90 million. Expenditure in April was particularly high, at just under €30 million, or 20% of the overall budget. The budget for overtime is increasing. Obviously, it is the responsibility of the Commissioner, as Accounting Officer, to ensure it is kept under control. We do not get involved in saying we will provide an overtime budget, but only for a particular type of work.

The policing of festivals and matches can also be done by the Garda Reserve. I want to see more recruitment into the Garda Reserve so gardaí will be available for core policing.