Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter in the House. I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minster for Justice, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment.

As the Deputy will be aware, by law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda members and resources between the various Garda stations and divisions. I can assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner and his management team keep the distribution of Garda members and resources under constant review. This is done in light of operational needs and in close consultation with local Garda management in each division.

I can further assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. Budget 2025 provided the highest ever allocation to An Garda Síochána, with more than €2.48 billion, which is a 27% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, which will in turn allow the Garda Commissioner to ensure that an effective policing service can be delivered.

To assist with recruitment, the Government increased the training allowance and increased the age of entry from 35 to 50. The Minister has also secured a significant increase in the training allowance which now means that trainees are paid €354 per week. The Government is determined that An Garda Síochána grows to 15,000 members and beyond. We are seeing growing momentum in recruitment and more and more gardaí are coming through the Garda Training College and onto our streets. Last month the Minister was delighted to witness 108 new Garda members attesting. This is the third graduation ceremony of the year, with 165 members attested in March and a further 157 in June. A new group of 135 recruits entered the college last month for their first phase of training and I wish them well.

I can inform the Deputy, as of June 2024, there are 656 gardaí assigned to the Clare-Tipperary division which is an increase of ten since 2015. As of the same date, 164 probationer gardaí have been assigned to stations within the Clare-Tipperary division since 2020. There are also 129 Garda vehicles in use in the division.

The Deputy will also be aware that enabling works have begun on a new Garda Station in Clonmel. The Department of Justice is also funding refurbishment works in Cashel and Bansha stations as well as the Garda College in Templemore. This is to ensure that all Garda personnel and communities have the fit-for-purpose facilities they deserve both now and into the future.

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