Written answers
Tuesday, 3 October 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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455. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new recruits to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in the corresponding timeframe; and the number of resignations from An Garda Síochána. [42835/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2023, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment as well as investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
This level of funding is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. Whilst the necessary temporary closure of the Garda College during the Covid-19 pandemic put an unfortunate pause on recruitment, the number of recruits has continued to grow in each class following the re-opening of the college.
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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 4,116 new recruits have attested as Gardaí and been assigned to duties nationwide. This includes the 2,544 Probationer Gardaí who have attested since 2018.
The table below sets out the number of Gardaí attested by year since 2018 up to 28 July 2023 (the date of the latest attestation). A further attestation is due to be held later in October.
| Probationer Gardaí | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 789 | 605 | 522 | 148 | 369 | 111 | 2,544 |
In addition to the 111 new Gardaí that have attested so far this year, another 470 have begun active training, with two more classes due into Templemore in October and December.
The table below sets out the number of Garda resignations from 2018 up to 2022, and at the end of September 2023
| Year | Resignations |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2019 | 72 |
| 2020 | 70 |
| 2021 | 94 |
| 2022 | 109 |
| 2023 (end September) | 114 |
| Total | 536 |
The table below sets out the number of Garda retirements from 2018 up to 2022, and at the end of September 2023
| Year | Voluntary Retirements | Compulsory Retirements | Cost Neutral Early Retirements | Annual Total Retirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 175 | 40 | 3 | 218 |
| 2019 | 160 | 60 | 3 | 223 |
| 2020 | 213 | 34 | 3 | 250 |
| 2021 | 213 | 78 | 3 | 294 |
| 2022 | 260 | 79 | 1 | 340 |
| 2023* (as of end September ) | 165 | 51 | 7 | 223 |
| Total | 1186 | 342 | 20 | 1548 |
To note, all information supplied is operational and subject to change.
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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456. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each county in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42836/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2023, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
This level of funding is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. Whilst the necessary temporary closure of the Garda College during the Covid-19 pandemic put an unfortunate pause on recruitment, the number of recruits has continued to grow in each class following the re-opening of the college.
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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the tables in the attachment below set out the number of Garda members by Division, District and Station for the years 2018 up to 2022, and up to the 31 August 2023, the latest date for when figures are available.
In the interest of transparency, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers, including a breakdown by Garda station and Garda rank, are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link:
Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.
/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2023-10-03_pq456-04-10-23_en.xlsx">Stats
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