John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1563.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality he number of Garda vehicles, by type and function, assigned to Wicklow for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32533/24]

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 the distribution of Garda members and vehicles 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.

There are now 3,530 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána and an increase of over 35% since 2015. The fleet includes 2,657 cars, 589 vans, 132 motorcycles, 100 4x4 and 52 others (refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles).

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of vehicles allocated yearly to the Garda Fleet in the Wicklow District from 2020 up to 30 June 2024.

It should be noted that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis to ensure the best match with operational requirements.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1564.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the opening hours for each individual Garda station in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32534/24]

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 Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions and, as such, I am unable to seek to direct the Commissioner with regards to the opening hours of any Garda station.

For the Deputy's information, the most up to date information in relation to the opening hours of individual Garda stations can be found using the following link:

garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1566.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the number of Garda recruits for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32536/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 you 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 to this year’s Garda recruitment campaign was very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,381 people applied for the 2024 Garda Trainee Competition.

I am informed that the first intake into the Garda College in 2024 was on 8April and 186 Trainees commenced training on that date. The second intake into the Garda College was on 1 July and 157 Trainees commenced training. There are a further two intakes planned in 2024 and the numbers commencing will be dependent on throughput from the selection processes.

Since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014 a total of 4,716 Garda members have attested and have been allocated to Garda stations nationwide.

For your information the table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, provides the number of Gardaí recruited in the years 2019 to 2023 and in 2024 up to the 28 June.

I am advised that the next attestation dates in 2024 are scheduled for 20 September and 13 December. Please be advised that these dates are operational and may be subject to change.

Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the reopening of the Garda College to new intakes after it closed temporarily due to Public Health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government is determined that An Garda Síochána grows to 15,000 members and beyond.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1567.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the crime statistics for Wicklow for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32537/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.

The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 26 June 2024, providing stats for Recorded Crime for Quarter 1 (Q1) 2024.

Figures in respect of criminal offences reported to Gardaí, including for Wicklow, can be found on the CSO website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1568.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in Wicklow who have left the force over the past five years, by retirement, resignation, death, illness, forced resignation and voluntary resignation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32538/24]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1569.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí scheduled to retire in Wicklow in the next five years, including details of where they are currently serving, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32539/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1568 and 1569 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, resource management is a matter for the Commissioner. The Government has provided the funding to allow for sustained recruitment and, as I have outlined, is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. Budget 2024 saw an unprecedented allocation of €2.35 billion - an increase of 23% since 2020. This funding is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment. It is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024 – allowing for retirements and resignations.

Coupled with further reassignments of Gardaí to operational frontline policing and the continued rollout of the new Operating Model, I am confident that the Commissioner has suitable resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.

According to An Garda Síochána its level of resignations is far below those experienced by UK police services (approximately 10%) and is far below those experienced by the private sector (10 to 20%). In addition, Post COVID-19, police services in the US, New Zealand, and Canada have all reported an increase in resignations in excess of the Garda resignation rate.

An Garda Síochána have introduced their own exit interviews to get a clearer view on why people may choose to resign and, where appropriate, to address issues which may influence retention. These voluntary exit interviews are conducted by a chartered occupational psychologist working within the Garda Human Resources and People Development department. To date over 100 interviews have taken place with both Garda Members and Garda Staff, online and face to face.

Retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years, and those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years service. Gardaí have the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60, subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that they are fully competent and available to undertake their duties.

Legislation which will provide for an extension to the mandatory retirement age for Garda members from 60 to 62 has been approved by Government and has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Secondary legislation will be required to operationalise the new retirement age, and this is currently being prepared by my Department.

I am informed that at the end of May 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 287 Garda members assigned to Wicklow Division.

Since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014 a total of 94 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Wicklow Division, which includes 15 this year.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí in the Wicklow Division who have left the service in each of the past five years. Figures include Voluntary Retirements, Compulsory Retirements, Cost Neutral Early Retirements, Resignations, Dismissals, Deaths in Service and Medical Discharges.

I am advised that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts of fewer than 10 for data protection reasons.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 12 Garda members are scheduled to retire from Wicklow Division over the next five years. I am further advised that details of where these Garda members are currently serving cannot be released by An Garda Síochána for data protection reasons.

As the Deputy will be aware information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, District, Station and rank can be found at the following link: