Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the criticisms from the Garda Representative Association regarding the conduct and performance regulations for An Garda Síochána due to come into force on the 2 April 2025, including that they have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Department to discuss their submission on this matter; that they are concerned that under the new regulations, there will be no process for dealing with any minor breaches of conduct or performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16218/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that the current system of Garda discipline be reviewed and replaced with a system that distinguishes more appropriately between misconduct and performance related issues.

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 implements this recommendation by providing for Regulations to be made on the performance, conduct and standards of professional behaviour of Garda members.

It is important to state that consultation has taken place on these Regulations with Garda management, other relevant agencies, and all the Garda Associations to ensure their input into the drafting process. Their suggestions have been taken on board, insofar as possible.

I have requested my officials to continue to engage with the Associations and Garda management on the regulations, and on the policies, procedures and training required in addition to the regulations.

I will also arrange to meet with the Garda Associations later in the year to review how the new regime is operating. I will be open at that time to considering any issues that emerge.

Issues of minor conduct will not be dealt with under the Conduct Regulations. Officials in my Department and Garda management have confirmed this to the Garda Representative Association.

The development of policies and procedures to address these more minor conduct issues (including misbehaviour dealt with under the previous Discipline Regulations) is the responsibility of Garda management, and those policies and procedures are being worked on. Furthermore, it is intended that more minor performance or attendance issues will be dealt with outside of the Performance Regulations, through local supervisory arrangements.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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221. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide full details regarding where the Garda 2025 recruitment campaign was advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16219/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My first priority as Minister for Justice is getting more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment.

I am committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that.

We can see clearly that 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.

I would like to commend publicjobs and An Garda Síochána for the innovative and creative recruitment campaign they ran which has resulted in such strong interest. The promotional campaign, under the tag line "It’s a Job Worth Doing”, was live across television, national and local print and radio, online, social media, outdoor and cinema while the competition was open.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there was paid advertising for the Garda Trainee Recruitment Campaign 2025 on the below platforms:

• National radio
• Regional/local radio
• Irish language radio
• Digital audio (including podcast streaming platforms)
• National print
• Regional/local print
• Digital display in Ireland, UK, Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand. Some of the digital display advertising in Ireland targeted Irish-language websites.
• Meta
• Snapchat
• TikTok
• OOH - bus shelters and billboards.
• RTÉ
• Sky
• Channel 4
• Virgin Media Television
• TG4
• Cinema
• VOD (Video on demand, eg YouTube)