Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider changing a rule (details supplied) restricting elected representatives from sitting on multiple Joint Policing Committees. [11351/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that there are no plans to amend or alter the current guidance governing Joint Policing Committee membership.

At present, this guidance is a matter for the independent Policing Authority to consider, after consulting with myself and my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government as outlined under section 35 (1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).

However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 was recently enacted and under the Act, which I intend to commence later this year, the Joint Policing Committees will be replaced by the new Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs). This new model of community safety was one of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and addresses the fact that many of the issues identified by the JPCs were outside the remit of An Garda Síochána or the local authority to resolve.

This new approach to community safety goes far beyond the traditional policing response and requires all relevant state bodies and voluntary organisations to work together in a joined-up way, in partnership with the local community, to prioritise and effectively address issues in their own area.

Three pilot Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) have been successfully operating in Longford, Waterford and Dublin's North Inner City over the last number of years. The plan is to roll out at least one partnership in every Local Authority area during the second half of 2024. These Partnerships will build upon and replace the existing JPCs, bringing together Gardaí, local representatives, community organisations, schools, local authorities and State bodies such as the HSE and Tusla, to draft a Community Safety Plan tailored to the community's needs. No one knows better than those who live in a community what its needs are.

The Community Safety Plans agreed by each LCSP will set out the actions identified by the community that need to be taken to improve their feeling of safety, and all of the relevant actors who are involved in delivering those actions are members of the LCSP and accountable to it.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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287. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many gardaí were attested with full powers in the calendar year 2023. [11371/24]

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.

There are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country and it is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024.

I am advised that 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter Templemore since 2018. I am also advised that 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide.

The Deputy may be aware that there was very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with over 6,300 applications. The recruitment process is continuing to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period. The Garda Commissioner has also confirmed that he has requested the Public Appointments Service to undertake a Garda Reserve competition at the earliest possible date.

Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer 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/

All information is operational and may be subject to change.