Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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696. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number and rank of Garda officers that retired and resigned from An Garda Síochána in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [51543/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all internal HR matters, such as retirements and resignations. Furthermore, under Section 34(1) of the same Act, the Garda Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of Gardaí who have retired and resigned from An Garda Síochána in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as of 30 July. Figures include Voluntary, Compulsory, Cost Neutral Early Retirements, Resignations, Resignations not suitable for appointment and Resignation in lieu of dismissal. It has not been possible to collate a breakdown by rank within the timeframe available.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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697. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda trainees that were attested in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [51544/25]

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 number of Gardaí who have attested from January 2023 to the latest ceremony on 22 August last. A fourth attestation for 2025 is due to be held in November.

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.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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698. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda trainees admitted to Templemore College for phase 1 in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [51545/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The table below has been provided to me by the Garda Authorities and outlines the number of intakes since 2023 to date.

The training is, of necessity, quite rigorous and some level of attrition is normal given the high standards of performance required of Gardaí.

As of 30 September 2025, 571 trainee Gardaí have entered the college this year, with a further intake scheduled for November 2025.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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699. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on a television programme (details supplied) of 18 September 2025 in which it was alleged that the phones and geolocation of members of An Garda Síochána, while on duty and/or in Garda campuses, can be tracked by a third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51569/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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700. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on a television programme (details supplied) of 18 September 2025 that outlined that mobile phones geolocation data connected to the Irish Prison Service could be bought on the open market and cause a potential security risk. [51570/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 700 together.

The recent allegations concerning potential breaches of the GDPR in relation to the selling of personal data by data brokers are concerning. Officials of my Department have met with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in relation to the serious issues raised and will continue to engage on this important matter.

I am advised that the DPC is continuing to treat this matter very seriously and has used its statutory powers to establish the identity of the companies and the data set concerned. Further, I understand that in respect of one of the companies concerned, based in Ireland, the DPC has attended its office in Dublin. The second company is based in another EU country and the DPC is engaging with the relevant EU Data Protection Authority, in keeping with the procedures provided for under the General Data Protection Regulation.

I am informed that the DPC’s investigation into this matter is ongoing and that it will take further steps as necessary including engagement with relevant authorities. As this matter is now subject to an investigation by the DPC and the DPC is independent in the exercise of its powers and function, I do not propose to comment any further at this time on the specific details of this case.