Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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640. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to recruit at least 5,000 new Garda recruits and additional Garda staff over the next five years as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37351/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment. 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 in early June, 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. 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.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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641. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to review allowing Garda trainees to undergo part of their training course in regionally based universities or technological universities as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37352/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-trained Garda Síochána is a key aspect of this policy.

A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established, chaired by my Department, to support the achievement of increased recruitment and ensure that these recruitment campaigns are impactful. They are working to progress short, medium and long term initiatives to ensure a consistent and efficient recruitment pipeline for Garda Trainees.

The Group will provide a final report to me shortly which I expect will include further measures to support recruitment and capacity.

I am informed that the initial work of the group will focus on the development of capacity for the Garda College to ensure that the Programme for Government commitments around Garda numbers can be facilitated as quickly as possible.

Consideration of other changes, such as regional training will be part of the policy work of my Department in the medium-term and I can assure the Deputy that any initiative that has the potential to increase the pool of recruits to An Garda Síochána will be considered.