Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2012. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to detail the number of recruits in Templemore undergoing training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42104/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the figures in the table below outline the number of Trainees undergoing training in the Garda College as of 22 July 2025.

Intake Number of Trainees Attestation Date
Intake 244 154 22 August 2025
Intake 251 196 14 November 2025
Intake 252 172 06 February 2026
Please note that attestation dates may be subject to change.

Significant changes have been made in recent years to boost recruitment and retention in An Garda Síochána, including increasing the Garda trainee allowance to €354 per week; the age of entry has increased from 35 to 50; and the mandatory retirement age has been raised to 62.

In February the latest recruitment competition took place. It attracted just over 6,700 applicants, I would like to commend publicjobs and An Garda Síochána for the innovative and creative recruitment campaign they ran which has resulted in such strong interest.

The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, Garda staff and Reserves currently stands at over 18,000.

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2013. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who are assigned to each Garda station in Wicklow in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42105/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for Wicklow, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/garda/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/may-2025.html.

The Deputy should select Garda Workforce and access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to 31 May 2025” for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers by Garda station going back to 2009.

Published information is supplied by An Garda Síochána, is operational and subject to change.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2014. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí in Wicklow who have left the force from 2020 to 2025, by retirement, resignation, death, illness, forced resignation and voluntary resignation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42114/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The new Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime; increasing the number of Gardaí to ensure high visibility policing is central to this.

There is a record Garda budget allocation this year of over €2.48 billion, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

It is the case that once a Garda has completed 30 years service they may opt to retire on full pension at age 50, if they joined before 1 April 2004, or 55 years of age if they joined on or after that date.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of Gardaí in Wicklow who have left the service from 2020 to 2025 as of 30 June 2025. This includes by retirement, resignation, death, illness, forced resignation and voluntary resignation.

Figures shown relate to stations in Wicklow within the Wexford/Wicklow Division, which are within the Bray, Baltinglass and Wicklow areas.

2020 5
2021 8
2022 6
2023 13
2024 13
2025 7
Total 52
Significant measures have been made to boost recruitment and retention within An Garda Síochána over the past years.

In September 2024, the Government increased the age of mandatory retirement age for Gardaí from 60 to 62. This means that Gardaí who wish to work on to 62 may do so. Government took this decision on foot of a request from the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Associations. Since 2020, the Department of Justice has processed almost 185 requests for retirement extensions. It is clear that there is a real appetite for this in An Garda Síochána.

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