Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1565. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are plans for a Garda recruitment campaign in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19381/25]

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.

The Programme for Government commits to recruiting 5,000 Gardaí over five years, and training capacity will be increased during that time to ensure that figure of 5,000 is met over the five year term. The Garda workforce is currently at its highest in history standing at almost 18,000 people, comprising 14,146 members, 3,502 staff and 318 reserves.

I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that four Garda Trainee intakes are planned to commence training in the Garda College during 2025, with the March intake securing over 200 Garda Trainees. It remains to be determined how many of those intakes will be filled from the existing campaigns, and a second campaign later in 2025 is an option that the Commissioner is considering should it be necessary.

A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established, chaired by a Deputy Secretary General in my Department, to support the achievement of increased recruitment. The group has provided me with an interim report and is working on its final report, which is expected in mid-2025, and will contain actions to maximise future intakes and to ensure that recruitment campaigns are effective as possible.

This Government will be resolute in its support of Gardaí. We want to build safe and secure communities, and a well-resourced policing service is critical to achieving that.