Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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498. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update in respect of the review of Garda recruitment and retention; if this review is being conducted internally; if not, if it has been put to consultation; if so, the persons and or company engaged to conduct the review; and the date on which it is expected to conclude. [36353/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including to invest in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.34 billion to An Garda Síochána – a 23% increase since 2020. This funding allows for 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, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no direct role in the Garda recruitment process. The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that An Garda Síochána are devising a recruitment and retention strategy for the organisation. This strategy is an operational matter for the Commissioner.

An Garda Síochána continue to work on the mitigation of various resourcing challenges and I have established a Garda Recruitment Training Capacity Group, with an interim report and recommendations due from that group in due course. This group is chaired by senior officials from my Department and includes representatives from the an Garda Síochána, Public Jobs and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

As Minister I continue to monitor all aspects of Garda recruitment and retention. Additionally, I have regular meetings with the Garda Commissioner to discuss all Garda matters, including recruitment, and there is ongoing engagement between officials in my Department and Garda senior management on such issues. I have, with Government colleagues, taken a number of significant measures to boost Garda recruitment and retention. This includes raising the age of entry from 35 to 50, increasing the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62 and significant increases to the Garda training allowance to €354.

Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College during the pandemic. 746 trainees entered Templemore last year , which represents the highest intake since 2018, and a six fold increase on the total for 2022. 186 trainees entered the College in April and 159 in July, with further intakes scheduled for September and December of this year.

In May 2023, An Garda Síochána introduced an exit interview process to better understand why colleagues choose to resign and, furthermore, to support An Garda Síochána in seeking to address issues which may influence retention.