Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1606. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he and or his officials have engaged with An Garda Síochána leadership team in respect of Garda trainees commencing training on the first point of the Garda payscale; if he and or his officials have engaged with An Garda Síochána leadership team in respect in the context of a retainment strategy of existing garda officers; the plans if any to further increase the age at which a Garda may serve to should they wish. [20176/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I, and officials within my Department, engage regularly with the Garda Commissioner and his management team on matters related to recruitment and retention.

Any further changes to the mandatory retirement age would have to be considered in the context of all uniformed, fast-accrual pension public sector workers and would require consultation with all stakeholders, including the Minister for Public Expenditure and the representative employee bodies.

It should also be noted that there is provision in regulations that allows the Garda Commissioner to recommend that an extension of a Garda member's service beyond the normal retirement age of 62. I have already approved a number of these applications in 2025, as it ensures that the Garda organisation can retain critical skills and knowledge.

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 and further increasing the garda trainee allowance.

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 will keep me informed on actions being taking to maximise future intakes of Garda trainees and to ensure that the 2025 recruitment process 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.