Written answers
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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405. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many trainee gardaí will go through the Garda College, Templemore in 2023. [53702/23]
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, including to invest in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings. Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
Numbers in Templemore continue to increase, with trainees entering the college every 11 weeks. A total of 637 trainees have entered the training college so far in 2023. Another class is due to enter Templemore in December putting An Garda Síochána on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.
237 new Gardaí have attested so far this year. The next Attestation which was scheduled for 12 January has been brought forward to 15 December. Over 150 trainees will attest on this date and will be deployed for policing duties over the Christmas period. They will return to the college to complete their studies at a later date.
Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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406. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the progress outlined on 29 March 2022 that the Garda Commissioner had instructed that a fresh investigation be undertaken into the matters which a judge (details supplied) determined required further investigation in their report on the statutory inquiry under section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 into the Garda Síochána investigation relating to the death of a person; whether prosecutions have been initiated; whether the report by the judge will be published, either in full or redacted form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53730/23]
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 operational policing matters. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions and am unable to direct the Garda Commissioner regarding any investigation. Further, decisions to prosecute are for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is completely independent in her functions.
I can also advise the Deputy that the position with regard to Judge Clyne's report remains the same as was set out in my previous response in March, 2022. I do not propose to publish Judge Clyne’s report at this time as to do so could potentially prejudice a future prosecution. I am also mindful of the need not to interfere with or otherwise prejudice the cold case investigation which the Garda Commissioner decided to open.
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