Written answers
Monday, 8 September 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1548. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of requests for retirement extensions from An Garda Síochána processed in each year since 2020, including the number extended to 61, to 62, to 63, to 64 and to 65, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45393/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The number of retirement extensions received and approved between 2020 and 2025 are included in the table below.
The Deputy may wish to note that there was a change in the Garda Síochána (Retirement) Regulations 2024 which came into effect on the 3 September 2024, stipulating that Gardaí, appointed on or after the 1 April 2004, could continue serving until the age of 62. Subsequently, Gardaí have the option to continue working until 62 years of age without making a retirement extension application. This has led to a reduction in the number of retirement applications being made. Prior to the change in retirement age in September 2024, the majority of extension requests were made to the age of 61 or 62.
Of the 15 retirement extensions approved to date in 2025, 4 were 1 year extensions to age 63 and 11 were 2 year extensions to 64. There were no extensions to 65.
I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to manage retirement extensions in line with operational needs and legislative provisions.
| Year | Extensions approved |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 42 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 15* |
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1549. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number in each intake of Gardaí, and the number who attested, in the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45395/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána has provided me with the table below which shows the intakes since the Garda College reopened in 2022 and the number of Gardaí who attested from January 2023 to the latest ceremony on 22 August last. A number of factors influence the number of people who attest in each ceremony including trainees reverting from one intake to another due to academic or health/injury reasons, as well as resignations or training suspensions.
The training is, of necessity, quite rigorous and some level of attrition is normal given the high standards of performance required of Gardaí.
| Original Number of Intake | Number Attested (Attestation date) |
|---|---|
| 24 | 25 (January 2023) |
| 92 | 86 (July 2023) |
| 135 | 126 (October 2023) |
| 154 | 151 (December 2023) |
| 174 | 165 (March 2024) |
| 174 | 157 (June 2024) |
| 109 | 108 (September 2024) |
| 186 | 169 (December 2024) |
| 157 | 149 (March 2025) |
| 125 | 120 (June 2025) |
| 162 | 154 (August 2025) |
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1550. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average time in each of the past five years between application to join An Garda Síochána and attestation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45396/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
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