Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total accommodation capacity of the Garda training college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28330/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda College is utilised to offer training, not only to trainees, but to established Gardaí and others. The College also provides residential training programmes covering Leadership, Management & Professional Development and Crime, Specialist & Operational Skills such as driving courses, firearm courses or specialist interview courses. The Garda College is operational to maximum capacity to support training across the organisation of Garda Trainees, Garda Members, Garda Reserves and Garda Staff. I am informed that the Garda College currently has in excess of 450 rooms available for on-campus accommodation.

The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána to 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 and is chaired by a senior official from my Department. Part of this Group’s work is to consider the Programme for Government commitments such as expanding capacity at Templemore or the establishment of a second Garda training college to support the achievement of increased recruitment. The Group’s work is ongoing and all options to enhance recruitment are being considered. I look forward to the submission of the Group's final report to me in the summer.

As of now, it is important to say that the capacity of Templemore is not a constraint on Garda recruitment.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered increasing the Garda retirement age to 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28339/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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311. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has examined the potential impact on the numbers of Gardaí in An Garda Síochána of increasing the Garda age of retirement to 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28340/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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312. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the impact in terms of Garda numbers that was achieved as a result of increasing the Garda retirement to 62; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28341/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 311 and 312 together.

People are living longer and working longer in their chosen career across all sectors, and it is important that members of An Garda Síochána can continue to work to 62 if they wish to do so.

There is a real appetite for this in An Garda Síochána. Since 2020 the Department of Justice has processed over 190 requests for retirement extensions, and the change last year to extend the retirement age to 62 was requested by both the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Associations.

The increase in the mandatory retirement age was provided for by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. That Act also provided for the increase in the mandatory retirement age of permanent members of the Defence Forces, firefighters and prison officers from 60 to 62. The increase was also facilitated with amendments to the relevant pension legislation.

These uniformed professions provide such a vital role in our society and An Garda Síochána will greatly benefit from the extended contribution of experienced personnel. It also provides a greater opportunity for skills and knowledge transfer to new recruits.

While I have continually said that nothing is off the table when it comes to recruiting and retaining Garda members, there are currently no plans to examine a formal extension of the mandatory retirement age for all Garda members up to the age of 65. Garda Members are entitled to apply to the Commissioner for extensions beyond 62, and up to 65.

The Garda Commissioner, with the consent of the Minister, may extend the age of retirement of a Garda member where this is in the interests of the efficiency of An Garda Síochána due to special qualifications or experience possessed by that member.

This allows any Garda member to make an application to the Commissioner, through their line management, seeking an extension of their service, potentially up to the age of 65. I can confirm that I have already consented to a number of such requests allowing Garda members to continue to serve beyond the age of 62.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the annual cost of employing 1000 additional Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the first year estimated payroll and fixed subsistence cost of recruiting 1,000 Garda is in the region is in the region of €31.4 million.

This sum includes a basic training allowance for 35 weeks along with 17 weeks of post attestation salary in year 1 of employment, and an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances, employer’s PRSI, and an estimate of subsistence paid during the deployment of trainees to an operational station.

The year 2 costs of employing 1,000 Garda are in the region of €57.7 million. This cost includes basic pay (including moving to point 2 of the pay scale 1 year after attestation), employer’s PRSI, and an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours allowances.

The estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments or potential future pension costs.