John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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533. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the protocols for Garda when a member of the public can track their stolen items to a specific location as a consequence of GPS or mobile tracking of devices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15014/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing decisions such as the protocols in place for Garda members when responding to reports of crime.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána does not have any protocols in place for Gardaí when a member of the public can track their stolen items to a specific location as a consequence of GPS or mobile tracking of devices.

Members of the public have a number of options available to report a crime, for example, calling into a Garda Station, calling 999/112 or making an online declaration, but due to the time sensitivity that may affect GPS tracking it is preferable that these types of reports are made in person to An Garda Síochána. Once An Garda Síochána have received all of the required information they can proceed to investigate the matter in the most appropriate manner.

It is not advised that any member of the public should attempt to use GPS information to trace items that have been stolen where they may find themselves engaging with individuals in an adversarial manner.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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534. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people accepted into the Garda training college in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, by gender, ethnicity and the age groups under 21, 21 to 25, 26 to 30, 31 to 35 and over 35; and the number of persons that dropped out of college before attestation. [15064/25]

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.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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535. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people that deferred a place to the Garda college in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of people that declined a place to the Garda training college in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [15065/25]

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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536. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of probationer Gardaí in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, that resigned and were dismissed before passing their probationer period; and the number that had the probationer period extended. [15066/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.

It is my first priority to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment. I want to help build safe and secure communities, and a well-resourced policing service is critical to achieving that. In Budget 2025 an unprecedented sum of €2.48 billion was allocated to An Garda Síochána to allow for sustained investment in recruitment, technology and equipment.

The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, civilian staff and Reserves currently stands at almost 18,000.

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. This includes reforming the Garda recruitment and training processes to increase capacity.

A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established to support the achievement of the increased recruitment to AGS. The Group will provide me with a final report in mid-2025 on actions being taken to maximise future intakes and to ensure that recruitment campaigns are as effective as possible.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below shows the number of people who deferred a place in the Garda college from the 2023, 2024 and to date from the 2025 Garda recruitment competition cohorts.

As candidates from these cohorts are still in processing they will continue to be made offers and, as such, the figures may change in due course. Regarding the 2025 competition cohort, almost 6,700 candidates completed the first stage of application of submission and are now due to move to interview stage with PublicJobs in the coming weeks. As such no candidate from the 2025 cohort would be in a position to have received an offer yet and the data below reflects that position.

This table also shows the number of people who declined a place in the Garda training college from the 2023, 2024 and to date from the 2025 Garda recruitment competition cohorts.

*Candidates may have deferred more than once, therefore this number is reflective of the number of deferrals, and not candidates who deferred.

The Garda Trainee recruitment competition for 2025 is now closed, with applications closing on 27 February, 2025. The PublicJobs-managed selection process is ongoing.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that the below table shows the number of probationer Gardaí in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, who resigned or were dismissed before passing their probationer period, and also the number that had their probationer period extended.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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537. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the Garda Representative Association's reported shortfall of 125 Gardaí in Cork city [15119/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.

The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 has unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continuing recruitment of Garda members and staff.

The Garda Commissioner and his senior management team keep the distribution of resources under ongoing review and I understand 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.

The requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide must be taken into account, which include:

• 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.