Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
71. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of new Gardaí recruited over the past ten years; and the total number of Gardaí to leave the force in that period. [49841/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 33 of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2025, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. This includes the recruitment, training and appointment of members of Garda personnel. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally, including a breakdown of the allocation of newly attested Gardaí to Garda divisions and stations nationwide. Historical data on the allocation of Gardaí from 2015 - 2026 can be found here:
[][www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/]
The Deputy should select the relevant month and then select the relevant file.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the the number of resignations and retirements respectively in each of the years from 2015 to December 2025.
|
Years |
Cost Neutral Early Retirement |
Compulsory Retirement |
Resignation (Ordinary) |
Voluntary Retirement |
Total |
|
Years |
Cost Neutral Early Retirement |
Compulsory Retirement |
Resignation (Ordinary) |
Voluntary Retirement |
Total |
|
2015 |
2 |
14 |
20 |
222 |
258 |
|
2016 |
1 |
20 |
24 |
207 |
252 |
|
2017 |
1 |
53 |
39 |
172 |
265 |
|
2018 |
3 |
40 |
77 |
175 |
295 |
|
2019 |
3 |
60 |
71 |
160 |
294 |
|
2020 |
3 |
34 |
66 |
213 |
316 |
|
2021 |
2 |
78 |
89 |
213 |
382 |
|
2022 |
1 |
79 |
106 |
260 |
446 |
|
2023 |
8 |
66 |
167 |
245 |
486 |
|
2024 |
6 |
32 |
137 |
202 |
377 |
|
2025 |
4 |
10 |
141 |
204 |
359 |
|
To 13/2/ 2026 |
|
2 |
17 |
6 |
25 |
|
Total |
34 |
488 |
954 |
2,279 |
3,755 |
Retirement eligibility requires both reaching the minimum retirement age and completing the necessary years of pensionable service. The minimum retirement age is either 50 or 55 years of age (depending on when a person joined), with 30 years service. The compulsory retirement age is currently 62.
