Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Strength

7:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 13: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of recruits who have graduated from the Garda Training College as full Garda members since 6 June 2002; the number of gardaí who have retired, resigned or otherwise left the force since 6 June 2002; the number of fully qualified gardaí at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41938/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The personnel strength of An Garda Síochána (all ranks) as at 4 December, 2006 was 12,990. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

In October 2004, I announced that I was proceeding with the Government's promise to recruit 2,000 additional Gardaí over the life of the Government and an implementation plan to achieve that expansion was drawn up in consultation with the Commissioner. That plan envisaged a recruiting strategy that would see the combined strength of the Force reaching some 14,044 Gardaí (including trainees) by the end of 2006. The overall strength of the Force, including recruits in training is now in fact some 14,137. So, we have delivered on our target well ahead of schedule.

Implementation Plan
Recruitment 2004-2008
Year EndingNew Entrant IntakeTotal (including trainees)Total (excluding trainees)
200452312,74312,220
20051,09613,38812,292
20061,09614,04412,948
20071,09714,62713,530
200866114,66114,000

Garda training involves 5 phases over a two year period. Phases I, III and V take place in the Garda College, Templemore and phases II and IV take place at Garda Stations to which trainees are assigned. Garda trainees are attested to the Force, and become serving members of the Force, on successful completion of phase III of their training. Therefore the serving strength of An Garda Síochána at any given time includes those who have been attested following completion of phase III of their training but have not yet formally graduated. Graduation takes place following the fifth and final phase of training.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí (all ranks) who have retired, resigned or otherwise left the force from 6 June, 2002, to 4 December, 2006 was 1,942. In addition, I have been further informed that a total of 3,174 new members have been attested to An Garda Síochána since 6 June, 2002 and 2,418 have graduated.

I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. A total of 1,125 recruits were inducted to the Garda Training College in 2005. The first four groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June, September and November of this year. A further 1,114 were inducted to the Garda Training College this year and further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days hereafter until the programme is complete. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.