An Garda Síochána

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Questions (607, 608)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

607. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí due to retire in 2026,2027 and 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32091/25]

View answer

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

608. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí, per county, due to retire in 2026, 2027 and 2028, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32092/25]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 608 together.

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

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, in addition to those who may have already reached the eligibility criteria by year end 2025, during 2026 224 members of An Garda Síochána will meet the criteria to retire. A further 358 and 412 Garda members will meet those criteria by years end 2027 and 2028 respectively.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that 66 Gardaí will have reached compulsory retirement age in 2026, a further 28 Gardaí in 2027, and 56 Gardaí in 2028.

It should be noted that it is the practice for some Gardaí to work well beyond the point at which they become eligible for retirement and, for some Gardaí, even beyond the age of mandatory retirement.

The Garda Commissioner may with my consent as Minister, extend the age of retirement of a Garda member beyond 62, where this is in the interests of the efficiency of An Garda Síochána due to special qualifications or experience possessed by that member.

This allows any Garda member to make an application to the Commissioner, through their line management, seeking an extension of their service. I can confirm that I have already consented to a number of such requests allowing Garda members to continue to serve beyond the age of 62.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána are not in a position to provide a breakdown of the number of Gardaí, per county, due to retire in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Question No. 608 answered with Question No. 607.