Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the strength of An Garda Síochána at the latest date for which figures are available broken down by full members, those who have attested but not concluded their training and those in training; the expected number who will be recruited during 2009; the anticipated number at each stated category at the end of 2009; the number of members of the force who are expected to retire during 2009; the number who will be recruited in the first half of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31165/09]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received to date in 2009 for early retirement from members of the gardaí, broken down by rank; the way this compares with the same period in each year from 2002; his views on reports that a significant number of senior gardaí are planning to take early retirement; the implications of such retirements for policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31155/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of applications from members of the Garda Síochána to voluntarily retire received so far in 2009, and the number who voluntarily retired in each year from 2002 to 2008, is as set out in the table. I should explain that practically all Garda retirements, whether they occur early or late in a member's career, are in a technical sense voluntary, in the sense that they do not occur on the last day of potential service. Only an exceptionally small number choose to serve until the day upon which they must retire compulsorily on age grounds.

In summary, the figures show that the number of such voluntary retirements was 234 in 2002, 252 in 2003, 323 in 2004, 284 in 2005, 238 in 2006, 177 in 2007, 243 in 2008, with 579 applications so far in 2009.

Clearly the current rate of retirements has increased appreciably compared to previous years. It must be remembered of course that the retirement age for the ranks of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector was increased in 2006 by 3 years to 60, so that we may now, 3 years on, be seeing an element of deferred retirements. Significantly however, even with this trend of increased retirements, 2009 will see an overall increase in the number of Gardaí, and by that I mean attested Gardaí with full police powers. This is because some 900 members will become attested this year, a number which significantly exceeds any anticipated rate of retirement.

To elaborate on the figures, the personnel strength of attested members of the Garda Síochána, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,516. This figure includes 831 probationer Gardaí who have been attested but have not yet graduated. It is anticipated the majority of these probationers will complete their training in 2009. On that date there were also an additional 600 unattested students in training. To repeat the main point, however, around 900 student Gardaí will have become attested to the force throughout the course of this year, which will put Garda strength at an historic high going into 2010.

A total of 200 students were inducted into the Garda College in 2009, 100 in February and 100 in May. The moratorium on Public Service recruitment now applies to Garda recruitment, but I intend to review the position during the course of 2010 in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and my colleague the Minister for Finance.

Detailed table of voluntary retirees by Rank and by Year (09 figure latest available).