Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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250. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí of any rank that have resigned in 2023, by rank and by month, in tabular form. [45952/23]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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251. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí of any rank that have resigned for the years 2013 to 14 October 2023, by year, in tabular form. [45953/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

This level of funding is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with a new batch of recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks this year. Thanks to the funding provided in last week's Budget, this recruitment activity will continue through 2024 with a view to recruiting between 800 and 1000 Gardaí next year.

There has been an acceleration in the number of recruits entering Templemore. This follows the closure of the Garda College during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the very challenging recruitment situation, against a background of record full employment, it is notable that An Garda Síochána continue to attract a large number of quality candidates who want to join the service.

As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. I have no role in these operational matters.

I understand the development of a recruitment and retention strategy is a priority for An Garda Síochána. As of the end of August 2023, there were 13,910 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of almost 9% since 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.

I am advised that the table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members who have resigned by rank at the end of September 2023, the latest date for when figures are available.

The table below sets out the number of Garda resignations from 2013 up to 2022, and at the end of September 2023

These figures are operational and may be subject to change.