Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of increasing the Garda workforce to 15,000 members by 2019. [18411/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the year one cost of increasing Garda numbers to 15,000 members would be approximately €41.2m, assuming a commencement date of 1 January.

The annual payroll costs for these extra members would increase to €62.9m in year two as all members would be fully attested at that stage and paid at the appropriate Garda salary rate.

Year one costs for new Garda recruits include a basic weekly allowance of €184 plus a living allowance of €77.92. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €28,405, rising to a maximum of €50,448 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments. For the purposes of this calculation, the costs are based on basic salary plus employer PRSI but do not include any allowances that the members may be entitled to after being attested. I understand that the cost of training recruits is subsumed into the overall training costs of the Garda College and is not easily identifiable.

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.

I am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, some 839 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 750 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of some 700 in the total Garda strength since recruitment recommenced.