Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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323. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether he will agree to meet with the family of a person (details supplied) whose family are campaigning for an independent inquiry. [14713/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Wheelock family for their terrible loss, and the pain Terence's tragic death has caused to them.

My Department has previously written to the Wheelock family in response to a request which they have made for a public inquiry to be established to examine the circumstances surrounding Terence's death.

The circumstances surrounding Mr Terence Wheelock’s death were the subject of an inquiry by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) and the report of this inquiry was published by GSOC in March 2010. I understanding legal proceedings arising from these matters were settled in 2014.

Both GSOC and the Courts are fully independent in the exercise of their functions. It is not open to me to intervene in or comment on any inquiry that has been carried out by GSOC, or on the outcome of any Court proceedings.

As these matters have been fully considered by GSOC, and have also been the subject of legal proceedings, a further inquiry into Terence's tragic death is not being considered at this time.

As such, while I am truly sorry for the pain and anguish suffered by the Wheelock family, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss these matters with them.

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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325. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí in Pearse Street and Kevin Street Garda stations at the end of each of the past five years, in tabular form; the number of community Gardaí at these stations at the end of each of the past five years; whether he believes these numbers to be sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14752/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service For the Future’.

I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include, but are not limited to:

• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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326. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for the offences referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (details supplied) for each year from 2010 and 2023, in tabular form. [14766/25]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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327. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the following offences accepted into the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for each year from 2010 and 2023. [14767/25]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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328. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of individuals referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for a sexual offence, for each year from 2010 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14768/25]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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329. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of individuals accepted into the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for a sexual offence, for each year from 2010 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14769/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 327, 328 and 329 together.

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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330. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of individuals accepted into the Garda Youth Diversion Programme between 2010 and 2023, in tabular form, by category (details supplied). [14770/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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331. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware that the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the diversion programme ceased publishing anonymised national data on referrals made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for specific offence categories in its annual reports for 2021 and 2022, apparently due to data protection concerns raised by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14771/25]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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332. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the diversion programme is fulfilling its statutory obligations under section 44 of the Children’s Act 2001 by reviewing all aspects of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme; if he is concerned that the committee has yet to publish annual reports for 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together.

Section 44 of the Children Act, 2001 provides that a committee is appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme.

The Monitoring Committee has since its inception produced annual reports on the basis of material provided by An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are concerned that publication of disaggregated data, in situations where there are a small number of crimes in specific categories, could lead to individual children being identified. Decisions on the precise level of detail to be provided in the annual reports are a matter for the Garda authorities and I understand the concern on this point.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána Analysis Service adhere to the highest standards for protection of personal data processed for law enforcement purposes, in line with the requirements the Data Protection Act 2018. Care is taken to ensure any information released for statistical purposes does not identify or make identifiable any data subject where it is not necessary to do so.

The annual reports for 2021 and 2022 have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The 2023 report has lately been received by my Department and will be published as soon as possible.

The Government’s Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 includes an objective to replace the existing Monitoring Committee with a more robust evidence-based system of reporting on the whole Youth Justice System, which would encompass much more than the Garda functions referenced in the Monitoring Committee Reports. The design of the new monitoring system was pursued as part of a strategic research partnership with the University of Limerick, guided by a cross-departmental Governance and Strategy Group chaired by the Department of Justice.

Replacing the existing Monitoring Committee required legislative change and provision has been made in the Policing, Security and Community Safety (PSCS) Act 2024 to delete the existing provisions in sections 44 and 45 of the Children Act which establishes the Committee.

The rationale for repealing sections 44 and 45 is that the general function of the existing Committee to monitor the effectiveness of the Garda Diversion Programme is now within the scope of functions of the new Policing and Community Safety Authority, as set out in section 122 of the PSCS Act. Research and policy advice to assess the effectiveness of the Youth Justice Strategy and the overall youth justice system will be provided by the Research Evidence into Policy Programmes and Practice Project (REPPP) in the University of Limerick, who are our strategic partners on youth justice issues.

Once these provisions have been commenced, a final report for 2024/2025 will be prepared and An Garda Síochána will continue to report annually on the operation of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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333. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to Garda driving instructor posts in Templemore College, the number of filled posts; the number of vacant posts; if there are any vacant posts; when these will be filled; if there are plans to increase the number of posts; if so, when will they be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14783/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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334. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans he has in the future to train Gardaí in locations other than the current Garda training college in Templemore. [14791/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. I will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including investment in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings.

Over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána in 2025, a 27% increase since 2020.

Significant measures have been made to boost recruitment and retention including increasing the Garda trainee allowance to €354 per week; the age of entry has increased from 35 to 50; and the mandatory retirement age has been raised to 62.

The impacts of these changes have been positive so far with the latest Garda recruitment campaign launched in February and receiving over 6,700 applications. In addition, the Garda College, on 10 March 2025, welcomed 201 candidates to begin training which represents the highest Intake since 2019.

The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enhance recruitment to An Garda Síochána. These include commitments to:

• Enable An Garda Síochána recruit 5,000 members across the next five years
• Continue to support and expand the Garda Training College in Templemore
• Reform the Garda recruitment and training processes to increase capacity and to widen the talent pool which will include expanding capacity at Templemore Garda Training College
• Consider the establishment of a second Garda training college.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that will be taken to make a career in An Garda Síochána more attractive for new recruits and existing members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14823/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. I will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including investment in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings. Over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána for 2025, a 27% increase since 2020.

My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment. Significant measures have been introduced in recent years to boost recruitment and to make An Garda Síochána a more attractive career for new recruits and existing members, including increasing the Garda trainee allowance to €354 per week; the age of entry has increased from 35 to 50; and the mandatory retirement age has been raised to 62.

There is strong interest in a career in An Garda Síochána. In February the latest recruitment competition took place. It attracted just over 6,700 applicants, This builds on the 5,000 applications which were received in 2023 and the almost 6,400 last year.

In mid-March, we saw 201 trainee Gardaí enter Templemore. This is the largest intake since 2019. It is also the first of four intakes for 2025. I am committed to working with the Garda Commissioner to explore ways of increasing the number of trainees who enter Templemore.

The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána recruit 5,000 members across the next five years, and I have already had initial conversations with the Commissioner about how that might be achieved.

A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established, chaired by a senior official in my Department, to support the achievement of increased recruitment. The Group will keep me informed on actions being taken to maximise future intakes and to ensure recruitment can be as effective as possible. The Group will also provide a final report to me by the summer which I expect will include further measures to support recruitment and retention.