Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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255. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the first- and full-year cost of paying Garda trainees a training allowance at the lowest point on the Garda pay scale for the duration of their training. [17241/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all recruitment and training matters. As Minister I have no role in these matters.

I am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to deliver on their mission of 'Keep People Safe'. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024 which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology. This includes increasing the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week to further support recruitment.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the lowest point of the current pay scale for a Garda member after attestation from the Garda College is €35,322 per annum. This equates to €676.93 per week. Garda Trainees currently undertake 35 weeks training at a rate of €305 per week training allowance.

Food and accommodation are provided by the Garda College. In addition, boot and uniform allowances of €7.32 per week are paid to both trainees and attested Garda currently.

To provide for 1 Garda to be trained at the rate of point 1 on the pay scale would require an estimated €26,594.93 per trainee. This figure is inclusive of Employer’s PRSI at 11.05%.

This figure does not include travel/subsistence or other allowances payable when a trainee is assigned to a training station.