Written answers
Thursday, 26 October 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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215. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on Garda Operation Fleming; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; and if this operation is currently live. [47157/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I understand the Deputy is referring to Operation Fleming which was established to investigate the sale of illegal access to premium streaming TV content.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that four individuals were arrested and charged under Operation Fleming. Two of these individuals pleaded guilty. In relation to the other two, the prosecution entered a stay on criminal proceedings which is referred to as Nolle prosequi.
I am further advised that Operation Fleming has now concluded.
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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216. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a fresh recruitment campaign for persons to apply to join An Garda Síochána will be launched before the end of 2023. [47158/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. Following Budget 2024, I announced that this allocation would allow for the recruitment of between 800 to 1,000 new Garda recruits.
As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including Garda recruitment competitions and when they are held. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The Commissioner has informed me of his intention that annual recruitment campaigns will be held.
Additional funding made available in Budget 2024 will provide for an increase in the allowance payable to Garda trainees to €305, per week, a 66% increase.
The level of funding provided to An Garda Síochána has allowed for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with a new batch of recruits entering the Garda College every 11 weeks or so this year. The next recruitment competition will launch in the coming months.
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