Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1560.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in Westmeath, in tabular form. [32454/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.

I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:

• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1561.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda recruits currently in training. [32455/24]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1565.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of recruits in Templemore undergoing training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32535/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1561 and 1565 together.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020, which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.

A Garda recruitment competition was launched on 15 January and closed for applications on 8 February. The response was very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,381 people applied.

I am delighted to see that so many people want to join An Garda Síochána, particularly with the strong response from people aged between 35 and 50 in the most recent recruitment campaign. Well over a third of the applications were in that age group following the increase of the maximum entry age from 35 to 50.

I am advised that as of 1 July 2024 there are 441 Garda Trainees undertaking Phase 1 Foundation Training.

The table below sets out the attestation date of these Garda members. Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change. New recruits must undertake Phase 1 successfully before they are attested.

There are a further two intakes planned in 2024 and the numbers commencing will be dependent on throughput from the selection processes. In addition, 849 Probationer Gardaí are undertaking Phase 2 and Phase 3 Foundation Training across Garda Divisions.