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

295. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an estimate of the cost to place Garda trainees on the first point of the Garda pay scale, from day one of training in phase one. [36765/25]

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

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Trainee allowance increased from €305 to €354 per week with effect from 1 October 2024 and has increased by a total of €170 per week when compared with 2023.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that an estimate of the cost to place Garda trainees on the first point of the Garda pay scale from day one of training in phase one would result in an increased cost over the 35-week training period of €15,171 per recruit.

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

296. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide for Garda trainees to commence training on point one and or a high percentage of point one, from day one of phase one of training. [36766/25]

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

297. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he and or his officials have engaged with An Garda Síochána leadership team and or the Minister and or his officials at the Department of Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding further enhancement of the Garda trainee allowance system and or pay scales. [36767/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has increased the Garda Trainee allowance over the last two budgets - from €305 to €354 per week with effect from 1 October 2024 and by a total of €170 per week when compared with 2023.

Insofar as further increases to the allowance are concerned, these will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process, having regard to the overarching commitment to recruit at least 5,000 Gardaí over the lifetime of the Government.