Louis O'Hara
Question:22. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new Gardaí who have graduated to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48935/26]
View answerWednesday, 1 July 2026
Questions (22)
Written answers
Getting more Gardaí on our streets is my first priority as Minister. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with Budget 2026 providing unprecedented funding of over €2.74 billion.
At the end of May, total Garda personnel stood at over 18,200, which included 14,621 Gardaí, 3,498 Garda Staff, and 295 Reserves.
Following two attestations this year, 360 probationer Gardaí have been assigned across the country. I look forward to seeing large numbers attesting from the Garda college in the remaining two attestations due to take place later this year, the first of which will be held in July. 223 and 215 trainees entered the college in intakes in November of last year and February this year so I expect to see in excess of 200 Gardaí attesting in each of the upcoming attestations.
The number of Gardaí available to the Commissioner will continue to increase over the coming months as trainees currently in Templemore complete their training and attest from the Garda College. We are now regularly seeing groups of over 200 trainees entering Templemore. The most recent intake of 201 trainees on 4 May was the fourth intake in a row with 200 or more recruits entering the college.
Overall, just under 800 trainees entered the Garda College in 2025, the highest number since 2018. 619 Probationer Gardaí also attested from the College last year.
These numbers are of course very welcome and encouraging, but I will continue to support An Garda Síochána to increase this number further so we can see more Gardaí assigned all across the country.
The most recent recruitment competition, which closed on 3 June 2026, attracted 4,115 applications. This brings the total applications received in the three Garda recruitment competitions that have been held since February 2025 to over 15,000.
These applicants will provide a strong pipeline of recruits for the coming months and into next year. With this pipeline, and as the rate of recruitment continues apace, we will soon see the largest ever number of Gardaí working in the State.