Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he intends to take to ensure adequate Garda recruitment to ensure adequate Garda resources in communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7390/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that both my Department and I are in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner to deliver on our target of 1,000 new Garda recruits in 2023. 

Since 2015, the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €672m, or 46%. This includes the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment and as Minister, I am committed to delivering the necessary resources to bring the number of Gardaí in the country to 15,000 and beyond.

As of the end of December 2022, there were 14,133 Garda sworn members nationwide. This represents an increase of over 10% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country.

These Gardaí are supported by 3,126 Garda civilian staff, an increase of more than 50% on the number of civilian staff assigned in 2015. These concerted efforts in civilian recruitment have a critical impact on frontline policing, facilitating the redeployment of over 880 Garda members to operational policing duties.

I very much support the Commissioner’s ambition to accelerate Garda recruitment coming out of the pandemic and his commitment to reach the target to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí in 2023.

It is clear from the response to last year's competition that, despite intense competition in the employment market, a career in An Garda Síochána is attractive to a large number of people and it is equally clear from the 2022 Garda Culture Audit that Gardaí have high levels of job satisfaction, notwithstanding the risks and challenges associated with their role.  While the recruitment process takes time for the reasons I've outlined, there is every reason to be confident that An Garda Síochána will continue to attract the numbers required to keep the public safe.  I can assure the Deputy that this Government will not be found wanting in its support for that objective.