Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current total number of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38462/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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223. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which policing is adequately provided for in all areas throughout the country, with particular reference to areas with a high incidence rate of crime or other vulnerability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38465/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 223 together.

At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the whole of Government are absolutely committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources necessary to make sure every community around Ireland are safe and feel safe.

As of the end of June, the latest date for which verified and published figures are available, there were over 14,000 Garda members assigned across the country. This represents an increase of approximately 10% since 2015, when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for 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.

The Government is committed to supporting Garda recruitment. In 2024, a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion has been provided to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of new Garda recruits through to next year.

A number of actions have been taken to support increased recruitment. We have increased the age of entry from 35 to 50, extended the retirement age to 62, and most recently increased the training allowance to €354. This represents an increase of over 92% in the last 12 months.

The response to this year’s Garda recruitment campaign in January and February was very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,381 people applied for the 2024 Garda Trainee Competition. The Commissioner has also recently committed to running recruitment campaigns annually.

This year, 186 trainees entered the Garda college in April, another 157 entered in July, and 125 entered this week on Monday (23 September 2024). One more intake is scheduled for December of this year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which improved protection for An Garda Síochána while on duty now exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38463/24]

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 management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I have provided An Garda Siochana with its highest ever budget of over €2.3 billion in 2024 for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. This also includes an initial overtime provision of over €130 million.

I am informed that, on a day-to-day basis, a Garda is equipped with a utility belt, torch, handcuffs, ASP baton, CS incapacitant spray, radio and stab vest while on duty. Helmets are issued to members of An Garda Síochána assigned to duties such as motorcycle duties, pedal cycle duties, air support unit duties, public order duties, amongst others.

Further procurement and any required issuing of new personal protective helmets will be considered as part of the broader Estimates process for 2025.

A number of steps have also been included to improve protection including:

• Expansion of public order unit capability through increased training;
• The provision of stronger incapacitant spray to all Gardaí;
• The provision of smaller round shields to public order units, restraints and additional body armour;
• expansion of the public order fleet, including the business case for the procurement of two water cannon and;
• the proof of concept project for bodyworn cameras in Dublin, Limerick and Waterford.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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222. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí injured in the course of their duties in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38464/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the deployment of Garda numbers in County Kildare is sufficient given the increased population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38466/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.

The Government is committed to supporting Garda recruitment. In 2024, a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion has been provided to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of new Garda recruits through to next year.

As of the end of June, the latest date for which verified and published figures are available, there were over 14,000 Garda members assigned across the country. This represents an increase of approximately 10% since 2015, when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.

A number of actions have been taken to support increased recruitment. We have increased the age of entry from 35 to 50, extended the retirement age to 62, and most recently increased the training allowance to €354. This represents an increase of over 92% in the last 12 months.

The response to this year’s Garda recruitment campaign in January and February was very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,381 people applied for the 2024 Garda Trainee Competition. The Commissioner has also recently committed to running recruitment campaigns annually.

This year, 186 trainees entered the Garda college in April, another 157 entered in July, and 125 entered this week on Monday (23 September 2024). One more intake is scheduled for December of this year.

I can inform the Deputy that at end of June 2024 there were 418 Gardaí in the Kildare Division. This includes 16 Probationer Gardaí allocated to the Division this year in the March, June and September attestations.

I can also inform the Deputy that there are 18 dedicated Community Gardai across this Division as of the end of June 2024.

They are supported by 34 Garda Staff members as of the end of June 2024. Garda staff provide vital administrative support and help free up Garda members to focus on front line duties.