Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
628. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí eligible to retire in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37275/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the case that once a Garda member has completed 30 years of service, they may opt to retire on full pension at age 50 if they joined the service before 1 April 2004, or at age 55 if they joined on or after that date.
The following table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the cumulative number of Gardaí eligible to retire, by Garda division, for each year.
|
Division |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
|
CLARE/TIPPERARY |
42 |
58 |
81 |
96 |
|
CORK CITY |
39 |
50 |
79 |
101 |
|
CORK COUNTY |
45 |
59 |
79 |
113 |
|
DMR EAST |
16 |
24 |
31 |
36 |
|
DMR NORTH |
25 |
29 |
39 |
55 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
26 |
30 |
36 |
42 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
19 |
20 |
28 |
34 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
|
DMR WEST |
31 |
41 |
52 |
62 |
|
DONEGAL |
32 |
33 |
44 |
52 |
|
GALWAY |
43 |
54 |
71 |
95 |
|
KERRY |
16 |
25 |
32 |
47 |
|
KILDARE/CARLOW |
20 |
27 |
38 |
58 |
|
LAOIS/OFFALY |
20 |
27 |
35 |
45 |
|
LIMERICK |
29 |
34 |
50 |
61 |
|
LOUTH/CAVAN/MONAGHAN |
44 |
54 |
71 |
94 |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
43 |
50 |
54 |
84 |
|
MEATH/WESTMEATH |
18 |
23 |
41 |
60 |
|
SLIGO/LEITRIM |
18 |
20 |
30 |
41 |
|
WATERFORD/KILKENNY |
27 |
36 |
58 |
78 |
|
WEXFORD/WICKLOW |
35 |
48 |
64 |
78 |
|
SPECIALIST AREA/OTHER |
275 |
336 |
418 |
506 |
|
Total |
888 |
1108 |
1466 |
1,878 |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a cumulative figure of 1,878 Gardaí will become eligible to retire by 2028. That, of course, does not mean that this number will retire over the next five years, only that they will be eligible to do so. For example, a Garda member may have 30 years of service at age 55, but may opt not to retire for the next seven years until they reach the mandatory retirement of 62.
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.
