Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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569. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to change Garda recruitment rules in respect of the upper threshold for recruits, in view of the fact that the policy has now been determined to be ageist (details supplied). [8386/23]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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570. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the recruitment plans for gardaí this year will be delayed as a result of outcome of a case that he was party to (details supplied). [8387/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 570 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment of Garda members and staff under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).

As the Deputy will also be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by legislation, in particular the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 (as amended). These regulations provide that the maximum age at which a person may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is not more than 35 years of age on midnight on the closing date on any Garda recruitment competition.

Officials in my Department, along with the Attorney General’s Office, Garda management and the Chief State’s Solicitor Office, are currently considering the recent determination by the Labour Court in an age discrimination case. I cannot, therefore, comment on any possible approach that may be undertaken until these considerations are complete.

Since 2015, the budget for An Garda Síochána - uniquely in these islands - has increased by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment - only interrupted by the Covid pandemic. This includes an increase of almost 12% in Garda numbers throughout the country. In addition, since 2015, civilianisation has freed up over 870 Garda Members from back office duties to return to the front line policing for which they have been highly trained.

I and the Government are committed to securing the resources necessary to grow Garda numbers to 15,000 and beyond, underscored by the unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated in Budget 2023, to allow for up to 1,000 new Gardaí to be recruited this year, as well as 400 Garda staff.

The Commissioner plans to accelerate Garda recruitment coming out of the pandemic. The Commissioner and his team have assured me that the target to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí in 2023 can be achieved.

Coupled with further reassignments of Gardaí to operational frontline policing and the continued roll out of the new Operating Model with its core focus on community policing, I am confident that the Commissioner has suitable resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.