Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
17. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí stationed in Clare-Tipperary division in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35700/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and allocation of Gardaí throughout the State. While I do not direct the Commissioner in these matters, and nor would it be appropriate to do so, I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
I am informed that, as of March 2026, there were 661 Gardaí assigned to the Clare/Tipperary Division. At the end of 2025, there were 665 Gardaí assigned; at the end of 2024, 659 and at the end of 2023, 674. Prior to 2023 Clare and Tipperary were not within the same Division, however I can confirm that in 2022 there were 391 Gardaí assigned to Tipperary Division and in 2021 the figure stood at 398.
As Minister, I am fully committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. As part of Budget 2026 I provided an unprecedented €2.74 billion to support recruitment, training and staffing. This will support recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardai, 200 more Garda staff and additional members of the Garda Reserve.
While I fully appreciate that all communities, including communities in Tipperary want to see more Gardaí in their towns and villages, I am pleased to report that recruitment into An Garda Síochána is gathering real pace and that the Government’s plan to increase the number of Gardaí is working. The overall Garda Workforce has increased from 15,980 in 2016 to 18,454 in 2026.
Cohorts of over 200 trainees are now entering Templemore regularly. In the first intake of this year, 215 recruits entered Templemore. 201 Trainees entered the College on 4 May and to-date in 2026, 360 new Gardaí have already attested from Templemore.
A new Garda recruitment campaign also launched this week and will be open until 3 June. This will ensure that we have a robust and sustainable flow of recruits into Templemore.
I expect Garda numbers will exceed the previous record high of 14,758, in March 2020, this year and that the number of Gardaí will grow beyond 15,000 over the coming years.
I am determined to ensure that we have a steady pipeline of new recruits into the Garda college so that we can see more Gardaí assigned all around the country. To that end, I was pleased to launch, with the Commissioner, a new Garda recruitment campaign last Monday. I am sure the Deputy will join me in encouraging people to consider a career in An Garda Síochána.
