Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.

The Government has allocated the highest ever budget to An Garda Síochána. The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.3 billion for 2024 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 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, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal HR Garda matters and the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that this distribution is kept under review in light of emerging crime trends and policing needs.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 28 Garda members transferred into Clare Division in 2022 and that fewer than 10 members transferred out of the Division in the same period. As the number of transfers out of the Division is under 10 the Garda authorities are unable to provide a further breakdown as it could lead to the identification of the Garda members.

I am further advised that by the end of September 2023 a total of 20 Garda members transferred into Clare Division. 13 Garda members transferred out of the Division this year.

I am also informed that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 51 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Clare Division.

I am advised that a total of 14 Garda members have retired from Clare Division in 2022 and 2023 combined, up to the end of September. As the number of retirements is under 10 for each year the Garda authorities are unable to provide a more detailed breakdown.

As the Deputy may be aware, Clare Division has merged with the Tipperary Division under the new Operating Model. At the end of October 2023 there were 674 Garda members assigned to the Division.

Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/