Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current Garda numbers across the Limerick divisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38127/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and this is reflected in the allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024. This unprecedented level of funding is allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff and investment in technology and equipment.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Garda members throughout the State, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends.

I can inform the Deputy that as of 30 June there are 566 Garda members assigned to the Limerick division, and these Garda members work alongside 74 Garda staff.

Recruitment is now gathering real momentum and the number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase; a total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. That was the highest intake in any year since 2018 and a six fold increase on 2022. Of those who entered the Garda college last year, 430 have attested this year, including 108 last week.

This year, 185 trainees entered the Garda college in April, another 157 entered in July, and 125 entered this week. One more intake is scheduled for December of this year. Rollout by the Garda Commissioner of the new Garda Operating Model is continuing and meets a key recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The model is designed to make changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána to provide for more frontline Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.

Coupled with the continued roll-out of the new Operating Model, I am confident that the Commissioner will have the resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.

In the interest of transparency, information relating to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, District, Station and Rank is publicly available and can be found on my Department's website.