Written answers
Tuesday, 23 April 2024
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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464. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women currently serving in An Garda Síochána; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated in the past eight years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18054/24]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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469. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current total strength of An Garda Síochána, by gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18059/24]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 469 together.
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 all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the total number of women in all ranks of An Garda Síochána as of 31 March 2024, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 4,006. This represents over 28% of total Garda strength. For context, this compares favourably with the total of 3,130, or around 22%, on 31 December 2008.
For the Deputy's information the following table, as supplied to me by An Garda Síochána, sets out the number of women in An Garda Síochána from the end of December 2014 up to the end of March 2024 the latest date for which figures are available. Please note that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
| Year | 31/03/2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 4,006 | 3,979 | 3,986 | 3,949 | 3,983 | 3,863 | 3,759 | 3,592 | 3,392 | 3,324 | 3,306 |
As this table shows, the number of women in An Garda Síochána has steadily increased. I understand that 28% is above the European average.
I am also informed that over the past decade the number of female Superintendents, Inspectors and Sergeants has doubled in the organisation. The Deputy may also be interested to know that at the end of March 2024 the Senior Leadership Team of Assistant Commissioner and above is now 50% female.
I am further advised that at the end of March 2024 there were 14,059 Garda members attached to An Garda Síochána, an increase of almost 10% since the end of December 2015. The table below sets out these Garda members by gender.
| Rank - 31/03/2024 | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Deputy Commissioner | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Commissioner | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Chief Superintendent | 37 | 11 | 48 |
| Superintendent | 141 | 27 | 168 |
| Inspector | 373 | 98 | 471 |
| Sergeant | 1,631 | 533 | 2,164 |
| Garda | 7,866 | 3,332 | 11,198 |
| Total | 10,053 | 4,006 | 14,059 |
In the interest of transparency, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
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