Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver on the goal of ensuring communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. As Minister I engage regularly with the Commissioner to monitor the resources needed to drive Garda recruitment.

I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of resources is kept under continual review to ensure their optimum use.

It is important to note that analysing Gardaí assigned per head of population in a given area does not paint a full picture as population statistics are only one of a number of factors taken into consideration. Crime statistics and trends and ongoing Garda operations are also considered by the Commissioner when allocating members.

The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up over 20 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 funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

I am advised there are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of approximately 9% since 2015. The Deputy will be interested to know that 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide. I am further advised 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter since 2018.

The Deputy may be aware a new recruitment campaign has opened this week (15 January). As was the case with previous campaigns, I hope that there is strong interest in joining An Garda Síochána and would encourage everyone who wants to contribute to keeping people safe, to apply.