Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will hit his target of 1,000 new Garda recruits this year; how he will reach 5,000 recruits over the lifetime of this Government, as outlined in the programme for Government, if the numbers are below average this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that an increased and a visible Garda presence is central to the Government's aim to build safe and secure communities for all of our citizens to enjoy.

In February this year, the first Garda recruitment competition for 2025 was launched. This is the fourth such competition in recent years and despite the challenging labour market conditions, I am delighted that over 6,700 applications were received. This demonstrates the continued interest in a career as a member An Garda Síochána.

I welcome the intention of An Garda Síochána and publicjobs to run a second recruitment competition this year in order to maintain the strong pipeline of recruits for the remaining 2025 intakes and in preparation for the 2026 intakes.

In terms of this year's recruits, in March 201 trainees entered Templemore. This was the largest intake to Templemore since 2019. A further 170 entered the college earlier this month, and two more groups will enter this year, in August and November.

149 probationer Gardaí attested in March and a further 120 attested last month (June). Two more attestations are scheduled for 2025. Based on the current number of trainees in the Garda college it is anticipated that a total of 600-650 Gardaí will attest this year.

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 keeps me informed on actions being taking to maximise future intakes and to ensure the 2025 and subsequent recruitment processes can be as effective as possible.

The Group will also provide a final report to me in the coming weeks which I expect will include further measures to support recruitment and retention and the achievement of the Programme for Government target of 5,000 over the next five years.