Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for raising this issue. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, as shown by the unprecedented allocation provided in budget 2023 of €2.14 billion. This level of funding will support the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda members and 400 new Garda staff. It is clear that we have a strong pipeline of recruits coming through who wish to become members of An Garda Síochána.  There was a high level of interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign and the recruitment process is continuing to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period. More specifically, 92 successful candidates entered the Garda College on 28 November 2022.  This is the first group to enter from this competition.  Hundreds more are at various stages of the selection and clearance process and due to enter the college over the course of 2023.  In particular further intakes of 200 trainees are scheduled at 11-week intervals over the course of next year beginning in quarter 1 of 2022.  I encourage all candidates on the panel to ensure they are ready to engage in the final process and in a position to take up their offers when received. Notwithstanding the continued popularity of An Garda Síochána as a career it is of course a challenging role and I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that a number of important services and supports have very properly been put in place in recent years. These include increasing well-being supports such as the employee assistance service which is available to all Garda members, staff, retired members, trainees and probationers, and their families. There is also a 24-7, 365-day telephone helpline and counselling service, a well-being hub, peer supports and a chaplaincy service. While these and other Garda human resources or personnel issues are matters for the Garda Commissioner, in which I have no role, the Garda authorities have of course my full support in ensuring that gardaí have the resources, supports and technology to perform their difficult role in the community.

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