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 unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.31 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána 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.

The closure of the Garda College for much of 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 had a significant impact on Garda numbers. Since the end of the pandemic, the number of recruits has accelerated. A total of 637 trainees 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.

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 however 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.

At the end of October 2023, there were 13,940 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.

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.

I am informed that the table below sets out the number of Garda members who resigned in 2023, and includes applications on hand for December.

I am also informed that the table below sets out the number of Garda members who retired in 2023, and includes applications on hand for December.

The following final table provided by An Garda Síochána provides exit figures for An Garda Síochána as of 1 December 2023, and includes applications on hand for December.

Please not that all figures provided are operational and may be subject to change.

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

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all operational gardaí are currently recertified or qualified to use batons, handcuffs and incapacitant spray, if they meet a public order situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53746/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including the training of Garda members. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that all trainee Gardaí receive training in the use of batons, handcuffs and incapacitant spray as part of the Officer and Public Safety Module in the initial stages of the Foundation Training Programme. Subsequent to this, and once members are deployed, the recertification of operational members is the responsibility of each Divisional office, and these are not recorded centrally.