Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost in 2022 of increasing the number of sworn gardaí to 15,300 by the end of 2022; the estimated cost in 2023 to increase the number to 16,180; and the estimated cost in 2024 to increase the number of sworn gardaí to 17,100. [48361/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including recruitment of new members. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the estimated payroll cost in 2022 of increasing the number of sworn Gardaí to 15,300 by the end of 2022; the estimated cost in 2023 to increase the number to 16,180; and the estimated cost in 2024 to increase the number of sworn Gardaí to 17,100.

The Deputy will appreciate that cost is not the only constraint and annual recruitment levels are also subject to the capacity of the Garda College. The maximum intake of the College is dependent on a number of variables including funding, human resources, the availability of successful candidates and the chosen training delivery model.

The above figures are estimates only as the costing of the increase in numbers must take account of a number of uncertainties. In addition, non-pay costs which are considerable are not included.

The figures are based on Garda recruits entering training for 32 weeks on 1^stJanuary each year prior to being attested and includes:

- Approximately €6,650 per recruit for the first 32 weeks each year where new recruits undergo training during which time they receive basic allowances.

- The remaining costs are paid on completion of the 32 weeks training. This includes Garda members moving to the first point of the pay scale when attested and an estimation of allowances that the members may qualify for depending on their assignments and employer’s PRSI. The workings assume that each member moves to Point 2 of the pay scale one year post attestation and point 3 of the pay scale two years post attestation.

The estimate covers the period of training and subsequent years of employment to end 2024.

The estimate is based on current work schedules and pay scales, with the impact of scheduled pay rises in October 2021 and October 2022 taken into consideration.

It is important to note that the annual payroll costs would continue to increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year.

It should also be noted that the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments.