Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1535.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who have resigned from the force in the past five years; what divisions they left; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32157/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1536.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí out sick at present; the division they are in; if they are on long-term sick leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32158/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions

To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. The table below sets out, by Division, the number of Garda members who were recorded as absent due to sick leave on 1 July 2024. These figures are operational and may be subject to change.

Furthermore, the table below sets out the number of Garda members currently absent on sick leave for a period exceeding 28 days. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.

Sick Leave Statistics as recorded on SAMS and reported @ 01/07/2024.

I am advised that there are a number of members who are absent on a longer term basis resulting from an injury on duty, these are under regular review with the Garda Occupational Health Service which includes an assessment for medical discharge as may be appropriate.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1537.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí on career break at present; the divisions they are on leave from; when they are due back, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32159/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. As Minister, I have no role in such 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 so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda Members may avail of special leave without pay in the form of a career break to a maximum duration of five years during their career.

I am informed that Garda members may apply for a career break for 12 months at a time and can renew their career break to a maximum of 5 years. As such, all Garda members on career break are due back in either of 2024 or 2025 depending on when the career break was granted.

I am also informed that career breaks can be taken for the following reasons:

• Further education.
• Domestic responsibilities.
• Child minding.
• Foreign travel.