Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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479. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of intakes of recruits the Garda training college can facilitate in a year; and the maximum capacity in each cohort. [36180/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these independent functions.

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.

I am advised that there is currently sufficient capacity in Templemore to accommodate planned intakes in the order of 800-1,000 per annum.

The Garda Commissioner has committed to holding annual recruitment competitions and I am committed to providing the support required to grow to 15,000 members and beyond.