Written answers

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Data

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of gardaí that have retired or resigned in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which this number was replaced by new recruits in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32220/20]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years and those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years service. Gardaí have the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60, subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that they are fully competent and available to undertake their duties.  

I am advised by the Garda authorities that projected departures are kept under continuous review and that the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, 3,488 probationers have attested and been assigned to frontline policing duties nationwide, including the 522 new probationers that attested this year. 

The table below, as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda retirements, resignations and probationer Gardaí assigned for the years 2015 to 2019. The Deputy will note that these figures include compulsory and voluntary retirements, as well as cost neutral early retirements.

Year   Total Retirements   Total Resignations  Total  Probationer Gardaí
2020* as of 16 October 202 61 522
2019 223 72 605
2018 218 77 789
2017 226 41 883
2016 228 24 393
2015 238 20 296
Total 1,335 295 3,488

An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021.  This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.  As a result, Garda numbers are some 14,600 Garda members and over 3,100 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staffOn that basis, there should be 14,700 Gardaí, with a further 300 recruits in training in Templemore, by December 2021 – a total of 15,000.

Additional information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available at the following link:

.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.