Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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170. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost in 2018 of recruiting an additional 800 gardaí; the full year first year cost of same; and the full year second year cost of same. [30780/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I advised by the Garda authorities that the full first year cost of recruiting 800 additional Gardaí in 2018 is some €14, 863, 029 and that the full second year cost is some €25, 751, 656.

Annual costs for new Garda recruits include a basic weekly allowance of €184. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale, which is €28,405 rising to a maximum of €50,448 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments. For the purposes of the above calculation, the costs are based on basic salary plus employer PRSI but do not include any allowances that the members may be entitled to after being attested.

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.

I am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, some 839 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 750 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of some 700 in the total Garda strength since recruitment recommenced.