Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1203. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents the Garda air support unit was requested to attend in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38716/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of specialist units. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Air Support Unit is a national resource based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. The unit is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

The unit provides a 24-hour proactive and reactive service in support of operational Gardaí on the ground and specialist units. Details of the Garda Air Support Unit operational provisions are published annually in An Garda Síochána annual reports.

The below table, provided to me by Garda authorities, outlines the number of incidents the Garda Air Support Unit attended in the years 2021, 2022, and as of 31 August 2023.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1204. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost in 2024 if 940 additional gardaí were recruited. [38717/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all recruitment, training and human resource matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

However I can assure the Deputy that my Department remains committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need to deliver on their mission of Keeping People Safe. This commitment has been reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023. This increase is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment, facilities and vehicles.

I have been informed by Garda Authorities that the estimated payroll and subsistence cost of recruiting 940 Gardaí in 2024 would be €24.079 million.

This sum includes a basic training allowance for 33 weeks along with 19 weeks of salary, an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances, employer’s PRSI, and subsistence following deployment during training to an operational station.

I am further informed that this estimate does not include other potential costs including the cost of equipment and accommodation. The estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments or potential future pension costs.

It should be noted that these calculations are estimates only as a range of variables must be accounted for, including the actual date of recruitment and locations of any new Garda. For the purposes of these estimates, it is assumed that all recruits commence training on 1 January 2024.