Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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407. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which, and by whom, she was first advised that the holster issued to a detective Garda (details supplied) was reported to be unfit for purpose by members of the Garda armoury technical staff, well before an incident in June 2020. [7555/24]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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408. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she took following receipt of reports in respect of an incident and relating matters; and if she directed that An Garda Síochána take the steps to immediately rectify issues raised in the same reports. [7556/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.

The murder of Detective Colm Horkan is a stark reminder of the considerable risks that every Garda member places themselves in their daily work on our behalf. I would like to, again, extend my thoughts to the family and loved ones of Detective Colm Horkan. In carrying out his duties he displayed the courage and commitment to duty which is in the best traditions of An Garda Síochána.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, including procurement of equipment. However, the Commissioner has publically confirmed that a safety holster was introduced following the murder of Det. Colm Horkan. The introduction of a safety holster has made it more difficult for a firearm to be removed.

While it is a source of pride that An Garda Síochána remains a mainly unarmed policing service, the safety of Garda members, and the public, is paramount and Garda equipment is subject to safety/risk assessment. It is imperative that Garda members are issued with appropriate equipment for their duties.

I am informed that members attached to regular units and Detective units are trained in handling handguns. Specialist Units such as the Emergency Response Unit and the Armed Support Unit are trained in handling appropriate firearms and less lethal options.

The Deputy will be interested to know, in order to further support front-line Gardaí, the Garda Senior Management Team has agreed on a range of measures to further support front-line Gardaí, including equipping all Gardaí with:

• stronger incapacitant spray,
• expansion of the dog unit,
• increasing public order training,
• more tasers for public order policing, and
• provision of hand-held video cameras for public order units, among other measures.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána that are due to retire in each of the following years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7596/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age.

Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years. Those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years of service.

Gardaí have the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60, subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that they are fully competent and available to undertake their duties.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that projected departures are kept under continuous review and that the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.

At the end of December 2023, there were just under 14,000 Gardaí, which represents an increase of around 9% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.

The number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase with a total of 746 trainees having entered Templemore in 2023, the highest intake in any year since 2018.

As the Deputy is aware, for the third year running, a new Garda recruitment competition was run from 15 January to 8 February of this year. I am delighted to note that a total of 6,400 applications were received.

The table below, as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets the number of Garda members who are eligible to retire in the years 2024 up to 2028.