Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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524. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received representations from an organisation (details supplied) regarding the pensions for members of An Garda Síochána, and in particular, regarding the implications which revised pension arrangements post-2013 are having on recruitment and retention on the force. [11484/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, public sector pensions, including Garda pensions, are a matter of Government policy overseen by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, who have a Pensions Policy Unit for this purpose. I understand, people who joined the public service post January 2013 are all members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, which provides for pension benefits based on career average earnings, including basic pay and pensionable allowances.

I wish to confirm I met with representatives of the Garda Representative Association last week and we discussed a wide range of issues, including the issue of pensions. At that meeting, I committed to raising with my Cabinet colleagues, Ministers Donohoe and Humphreys, on the matters discussed.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in an allocation of over €2 billion under Budget 2023. This funding allocation will support the recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardaí and 400 additional Garda staff this year.

I can assure the Deputy, both myself and the Commissioner recognise that policing is difficult and challenging but very fulfilling work. A number of programmes have been introduced to support members and it is hoped that these can continue to be expanded.

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.