I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. An Garda Síochána is a community police service with strong links to the communities it serves, built on a culture of policing by consent.  Over the last century, from the turbulent years of the Civil War and through the devastating years of the Troubles, the Garda has remained a largely unarmed police service.  The resolve and vision set out by the first Garda Commissioner, Michael Staines, that An Garda Síochána would succeed "not by force of arms or numbers, but on thei…

The Deputy referred to the Tánaiste. What he said, very clearly, when answering a direct question, was that it was a matter for the Garda Commissioner, which it is. He said he would consider any request from the Garda Commissioner. I believe the strength of the Garda Síochána has been through policing by consent. It is an unarmed police force. We have heard many times in this centenary year that the Garda ethos is based not on force of arms but on the relationship with the community. Of course we all want to keep o…

I will be answering a further question on this matter later on. I am advised by GSOC that it has deployed significant resources to the investigation and that the investigation is at an advanced stage. I understand that a draft report, pursuant to section 101 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, has been prepared and is currently subject to internal and external peer review, as well as legal review.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As Minister, I am committed to delivering the necessary resources to bring the number of Garda members to 15,000 and beyond. There is no evidence of an issue in relation to retention of Garda members. Of the 14,211 sworn members, only around 100 in total will resign this year. That is just 0.7% of the total Garda members. Since 2015, the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €672 million, or 46%.  This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment…

The number of people retiring is very small when it is taken in the context of overall Garda numbers. In 2018, there were 0.5% retirements, and in 2022, the number is 0.7%. When we take account of the overall Garda numbers, the number of retirements is relatively small. We continue to provide resources. As the Deputy will be aware, resource management, including succession planning, is a matter for the Commissioner. The Government has provided the funding to allow for sustained recruitment and is committed to ensur…

In 2022, there were 101 resignations out of a total Garda force of 14,211. Those are the actual figures. The Deputy mentioned the Dublin metropolitan region. In 2015 there were 590 gardaí in Dublin north central. There are 655 gardaí there in 2022. In Dublin metropolitan area south central in 2015 there were 627 gardaí and on 30 September 2022 there were 692 gardaí. That shows significant increases and we must remember the Garda College in Templemore was closed during the economic crisis and for almost two years du…

I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for raising this issue. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, as shown by the unprecedented allocation provided in budget 2023 of €2.14 billion. This level of funding will support the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda members and 400 new Garda staff. It is clear that we have a strong pipeline of recruits coming through who wish to become members of An Garda Síochána.  There was a high level of interest in the recent Garda rec…

The 92 recruits started. Possibly some of them may have dropped out. Sometimes when you start a job it might not take you too long to realise that it might not be the job for you. We know of many people who started in other careers. I remember when I started in the bank many moons ago, we used to start the training course in tranches of six and maybe after the first few days one or two could have dropped off and said that it was not for them. We have to accept that some people in good faith take up the jobs but dec…

I think perhaps if they fail on the fitness side of things they get an opportunity to do the test again. As to whether they are called back for a second interview, I will have to check that information out because I do not have it to hand. This starts off with a pass process. The Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner then deal with the processing of the applications. I can find the specific answer for the Deputy and I will get a written answer. I will say that recruitment is a multistage process and those selec…

I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this matter. As we approach the second anniversary of the tragic death of George Nkencho, I want to extend my sympathies to his family on their very sad loss. As the Deputy will be aware, the fatal shooting is being fully investigated by GSOC, which is the independent statutory body established with full powers to investigate such incidents. I understand that this investigation is ongoing. I am advised by GSOC that it has deployed significant resources to this investigation. I am fu…

The Deputy will appreciate that GSOC is completely independent in the exercise of its functions. As Minister, I cannot intervene in or comment on an ongoing GSOC investigation. I am assured, however, that GSOC has the resources necessary to complete the investigation of this tragic incident and it is not possible at this time to give an estimate of the remaining time needed to complete the investigation. As I stated, I am advised the investigation is at an advanced stage and its findings will be made publicly avail…

The shooting of George Nkencho is being fully investigated by GSOC. I hope the Deputies appreciate that I cannot comment on the GSOC investigation because it is independent in the exercise of its functions. GSOC has the power to prosecute following its investigations if it deems that necessary. That is not the case for a public inquiry. This is detailed work that GSOC is doing. It is important that we allow it to continue its work. As I stated, it is at the final stage. I agree it is important that it is moved on. …

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, and for his kind comments. I wish the Minister, Deputy McEntee, well. She has just started her maternity leave. I hope all will go well with the birth of her second child. Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for me and the Government. This includes focusing on prevention and providing victim-centred supports and services. It is opportune to highlight this work now, as my Department, and many others, are engaged in actively supporting the Unit…

Plans are in place for refuge places. These locations have been chosen on the basis of required proximity to a refuge as well as a need for refuge spaces per head of population in densely populated areas. They represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision and are a starting point to increasing refuge spaces comprehensively in every county throughout the country. We have committed to the delivery of 24 refuge places, which is currently under way in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan, by 2024. We will d…

There are special units in every single division. Having spoken to some gardaí recently, they said the number of people coming forward to these specialised units dealing with domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is increasing. We are breaking down that stigma for some people who may be worried about coming forward and may be afraid. They are now going to specially trained people in this field. I know that gardaí have been specially trained to deal with victims because there is no doubt it is an awful place fo…

I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this issue, which he feels strongly about. As he is aware, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. On 16 November, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, published the first national family justice strategy and secured Government approval for the Family Courts Bill 2022, which was published on 1 December. These are the mechanisms by wh…

The case the Deputy referred to is a difficult one. These are difficult situations. We wish to see the child being put at the centre of proceedings. It is important that the needs of the child are considered. Situations, such as those mentioned by the Deputy, where children are taken out of school do not sound like a good situation for any child to be placed in. I have asked my officials to prioritise this action in respect of the family justice strategy, which is to support children and includes as a priority an a…

The Minister, Deputy McEntee, announced the new family justice system that is being put in place. This new system will improve the situation. She consulted with several groups and is committed to dealing with this issue. The Department of Justice has also arranged for a separate strand of independent research into parental alienation to be carried out last year. I am pleased to say that a final report has been received by my Department and it is now being reviewed. It is expected that the research and the public co…

I am sure Deputies will join me in condemning, in the strongest possible way, any attacks on members of An Garda Síochána and other front-line services. We are all immensely grateful to all gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public.  Communities up and down the country have paid warm tributes to gardaí throughout this centenary year.  Attacks on the Garda cause injury, not only to the victims, but to communities as a whole.  An attack on a member of An Garda Síochána is an attack …

I thank the Deputy. I answered the question, but I will answer it again. Any attacks on members of An Garda Síochána and other front-line services are strongly condemned. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 was published on 4 August last. It will provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended the introduction of body-warn cameras. Policing organisations around the world have found such devices c…