Verona Murphy
Question:485. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí that have been recruited in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36315/24]
View answerWednesday, 18 September 2024
Questions (485)
Written answers
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020, which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. I am advised by the Garda authorities that this has seen an increase to over fourteen thousand Garda members nationwide, representing an increase of 10% since the end of December 2015.
As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.
A Garda recruitment competition was launched on 15 January 2024 and closed for applications on 8 February. The response to this year’s Garda recruitment campaign was very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,381 people applied.
I am informed that the first intake into the Garda College in 2024 was on 8 April and 186 Trainees commenced training on that date. The second intake into the Garda College was on 1 July with 157 Trainees commencing training. I am also informed that there are a further two intakes planned in 2024. The next intake is scheduled for 23 September and the intake is currently being finalised.
Since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014 a total of 4,716 Garda members have attested and have been allocated to Garda stations nationwide. This includes the 322 probationer who have attested to date this year.
The table below sets out the number of trainees who entered the Garda college in 2023 and up to July 2024 and the number of Garda members who attested in that time.
|
Year |
Entered Garda college |
Attested in year |
|
2023 |
746 |
388 |
|
2024 |
345 |
322 |
|
Total |
1,091 |
710 |
For your information, there are two further attestation dates currently scheduled in 2024, one this month and one in December. Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.