Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason that only 92 new members started in Templemore this week; if issues relating to pay conditions, pension, paperwork, roster issues and anti-social working hours are impacting the recruitment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60622/22]

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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I ask the Minister for Justice why only 92 new members started in Templemore this week, whether issues relating to pay, conditions, pensions, paperwork, roster issues and antisocial working hours are impacting on the recruitment process, and will she make a statement on the matter?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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The Minister said that 92 recruits started in Templemore on 28 November 2022. I believe that two recruits have already dropped out. I question the reason for the drop-outs. I also asked about pay, conditions, pensions, paperwork and rosters and I got no reply whatsoever. I believe there is a problem with recruits. Are standards being dropped in order to reach targets? Are people being called back for second interviews after failing the initial interview?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The 92 recruits started. Possibly some of them may have dropped out. Sometimes when you start a job it might not take you too long to realise that it might not be the job for you. We know of many people who started in other careers. I remember when I started in the bank many moons ago, we used to start the training course in tranches of six and maybe after the first few days one or two could have dropped off and said that it was not for them. We have to accept that some people in good faith take up the jobs but decide that this is not what they wanted. Sometimes they might get a better offer. We are in a very competitive labour market. As Members know, unemployment is at its lowest level ever. There are more people working in this country than ever before. It is competitive but we as a Government are focused on continuing to recruit more gardaí through Templemore. There will be 200 every 11 weeks throughout 2023. There is a strong pipeline of recruits and the Government has set a target of 15,000 gardaí and 4,000 Garda staff for a total workforce of 19,000 people.

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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Are standards being dropped in order to reach targets? Are people being called back for second-round interviews after failing initial interviews? It is a very simple question. I ask the Minister for the third time, are any issues relating to pay, conditions, pension, paperwork, roster issues and antisocial hours impacting recruitment? The Minister said earlier that she does not think there is a problem with recruitment but when I talk to people on the ground there seems to be a problem. I believe that people are being called back for a second interview after failing the initial interview. I would appreciate if the Minister would stick to the questions I asked.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I think perhaps if they fail on the fitness side of things they get an opportunity to do the test again. As to whether they are called back for a second interview, I will have to check that information out because I do not have it to hand. This starts off with a pass process. The Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner then deal with the processing of the applications. I can find the specific answer for the Deputy and I will get a written answer. I will say that recruitment is a multistage process and those selected are capable of becoming efficient and effective Garda members. The candidates who applied for the 2022 recruitment competition are beginning to come through that process and into training. This will continue into 2023. I will also say that gardaí remain one of the highest-paid groups of public servants. It is not an easy job. It is a difficult job. I will also reiterate the fact that this Government is committed to supporting the gardaí in every way we can. The budget for An Garda Síochána for 2023 is an unprecedented. More than €2.1 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána’s budget for 2023.