Written answers

Thursday, 22 February 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Strength

6:00 pm

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 52: 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. [6842/07]

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 that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 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 personnel strength of the Force as at 31 January 2007 was 12,932. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% 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 and 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, and a further 1,114 were inducted in 2006. The overall strength of the Force, including recruits in training, on 31 December, 2006 was in fact some 14,068.

Furthermore, I should say that in December, 2006 as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources.

Garda training involves 5 phases over a two year period. Phases I and V take place in the Garda College, Templemore and phases II and IV take place at Garda Stations to which trainees are assigned. Phase III of training takes place at both the Garda College and at a Garda station. 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 20 February, 2007 was 2,010. 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 2,672 have graduated.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.