Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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961. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí assigned to County Offaly for each year from 2021 to date in 2024, by rank, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46569/24]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
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.
In the interest of transparency, the number of Garda members nationwide at the end of December 2009 up to 31 October 2024 (the latest date available for figures) broken down by Division, District and Station are published on my Department's website. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
I am pleased to note that the number of Garda members assigned to Laois/Offaly Division has increased by over 2% since the end of December 2021.
The tables below, which were provided to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number of Garda members assigned to Offaly at the end of December 2021 up to the end of December 2023 and at 31 October 2024, the latest date for when figures are available.
| 31-Dec-21 | GD | SG | IN | SU | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIRR | 42 | 6 | 48 | ||
| TULLAMORE | 91 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 109 |
| TOTAL | 133 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 157 |
| 31-Dec-22 | GD | SG | IN | SU | Total |
| BIRR | 43 | 8 | 1 | 52 | |
| TULLAMORE | 86 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 109 |
| TOTAL | 129 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 161 |
| 31-Dec-23 | GD | SG | IN | SU | Total |
| BIRR | 42 | 8 | 1 | 51 | |
| TULLAMORE | 84 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 108 |
| TOTAL | 126 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 159 |
| 31-Oct-24 | GD | SG | IN | SU | Total |
| BIRR | 42 | 8 | 1 | 51 | |
| TULLAMORE | 86 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 111 |
| TOTAL | 128 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 162 |
The Government is committed to supporting Garda recruitment. In Budget 2025, over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána. This is a 27% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of new Garda recruits through the year.
As of the end of December 2024 there were 14,191 Garda members assigned across the country. This represents an increase of almost 11% 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 and most recently increased the training allowance to €354, representing an increase of over 92% in the last 12 months.
Since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014 a total of 157 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Laois/Offaly Division. In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station breakdown is publicly available and can also be found at the following link. I can also advise the Deputy that I have received the most recent figures for the attestation on 13 December 2024 from An Garda Síochána which has been published on the website.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
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