Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This year I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase on 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of Garda recruits in 2024.

Recruitment is now gathering real momentum and the number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase; a total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. That was the highest intake in any year since 2018.

There are currently three classes in training in the Garda College, two having entered in 2023 and one earlier this month. These trainees are expected to attest in June, September and December. Based on the current numbers, indications are that between 600 and 700 new Gardaí will attest this year.

185 new recruits entered the College earlier this month, the first class of 2024, and represents the highest intake since the Covid pandemic forced the closure of the college. Three further intakes are planned for July, September and December of this year. Based on the number of applicants and the numbers targeted for the coming intakes, it is envisaged that attestations will increase to between 800 and 1,000 in 2025.

It is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she plans to establish a dedicated transport police; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17702/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda resources and the establishment of any Garda units. As Minister I have no role in these matters, and I cannot direct the Commissioner in any specific aspect of Garda operations.

The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that, first and foremost, must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate.

The issue of transport police is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The Commissioner has stated publicly he does not intend to create a dedicated transport police unit. It is important to note that An Garda Síochána are actively working to address issues on public transport, including through dedicated operations such as Operation Twin Tracks.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that each Chief Superintendent in Dublin has put in place a dedicated policing plan to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport. Gardaí are conducting both overt and covert patrols of various public transport networks to address incidences of anti-social behaviour or any other criminal offences.I am advised that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place by Gardaí to prevent and detect criminal activity on public transport.

For example, Operation Saul is implemented across the Dublin Region. The aim of Operation Saul is to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services in the DMR together with reassuring the citizens, visitors and the business community in Dublin is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy all its amenities. Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned delivery of all working resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity, on a daily basis.Under Operation Saul, each Chief Superintendent within the DMR ensures continued collaboration with key transport stakeholders and providers along with Local Authorities to ensure an integrated approach at Key High Risk periods of the year identified in the DMR Roads Policing Plan.

Finally, I understand that there is ongoing communication between An Garda Síochána and the transport control centres, and access to good quality CCTV can provide assistance to Gardaí when investigating serious incidents. The new Garda Síochána DMR Control Centre based at the National Train Control Centre at Heuston Station in Dublin is a state-of-the art new premises, which will house the operations of call takers and dispatchers, is another step forward in modernising An Garda Síochána and strengthening links with public transport operators. This call and dispatch centre, located on a floor in the new National Train Control Centre in Heuston Station, is the nerve centre to Garda operations in the Dublin Metropolitan region and the personnel working there are the people at the frontline taking sometimes the most challenging and time-sensitive calls.

The Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, chaired by Minister of State Browne, also includes the Department of Transport and the forum has been briefed on their initiatives to combat anti-social behaviour on public transport with valuable input from representatives of the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus. Last week, the Government agreed to a number of measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, including increased penalties for knife crime, and changes to ASBOs. This builds on other work underway including work to roll-out body worn cameras.