Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current numbers of gardaí for each Cork division in February 2024; to confirm the number of gardaí in February 2023 for each Cork division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8314/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 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 its vital policing work. This funding allows 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, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.

It is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024. Allowing for retirements and resignations, the number of Garda members is expected to reach between 14,300 and 14,500 by the end of 2024.

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were a total of 1,304 Garda members assigned to Cork. Of this total, 699 Garda members were assigned to Cork City Division, 322 to Cork North Division, and 283 to Cork West Division.

At the end of February 2023, there were a total of 1,318 Garda members assigned to Cork. Of this total, there were 705 Garda members assigned to Cork City Division, 329 to Cork North Division, and 284 to Cork West Division.

The Deputy may be aware that there was very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with almost 6,400 applications. The recruitment process is continuing to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period. Furthermore, the Garda Commissioner has confirmed that he has requested the Public Appointments Service to undertake a Garda Reserve competition at the earliest possible date.