Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 – this is a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

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 and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Deputy may also be aware that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) administers the initial stages of any recruitment competition for An Garda Síochána on behalf of the Commissioner. PAS is the independent body responsible for public service recruitment under the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.

The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda applicants, the number that enrolled in the Garda college and the number of Probationer Gardaí who attested in 2020 up to end December 2023.

For the Deputy's information, there were no competitions for Garda recruit in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were 746 entrants into the Garda College in 2023. This is the largest intake into the Garda college since 2018.

As the Deputy may be aware, in 2022 an individual could simply send an expression of interest to PAS to enrol in Garda College, whereas in 2023 a more substantial application was required.