Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the retirement age for gardaí at Garda and Sergeant rank will be increased taking into account the need to retain Members in view of the slowdown in recruitment and the urgent need to increase Garda numbers in Garda Divisions throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60110/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A review of the Garda retirement age is ongoing and it is hoped it will be finalised shortly. As Garda retirement ages are governed by both primary and secondary legislation, any proposals to amend such legislation would require Government approval.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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325. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the recruitment targets for An Garda Síochána set for 2022 and the intake to date; the recruitment target for 2023; if any particular measures will be implemented to increase numbers entering An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60111/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with record funding of more than €2.14 billion allocated to the Garda Vote in budget 2023. This includes provision for the recruitment of up to 1,000 additional Garda members and 400 Garda staff in 2023 and will enable sustained ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for management and administration of Garda business, which includes the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.

While recruitment to An Garda Síochána has faced challenges in recent times, this has been due in the main to public health restrictions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic and in particular the closure of the Garda college during that time. I am, however, advised that 369 new Gardaí have been attested so far this year.

The Deputy will also be interested to know that there was significant interest in joining An Garda Síochána in the 2022 recruitment campaign. I am delighted that over 90 trainees from this recruitment campaign commenced training in the Garda College earlier this week, being the first group to enter on foot of this competition. Hundreds more candidates are progressing through the various stage and clearances under that competition and will enter the college over the course of next year. Furthermore, I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that a new Garda recruitment campaign will be launched in early 2023 and this will ensure a steady flow of recruits into the Garda College over the course of 2023.