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For Written Answer on : 01/06/2021
Question Number(s): 502 Question Reference(s): 29158/21
Department: Justice
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank and district in each of the Cork county and city divisions that have retired in 2021; the number that are expected to retire; the number that have given notice of their intention to resign later in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Commissioner that projected departures are kept under continuous review and that the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.
As the Deputy may be aware, the retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years and those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years service.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the total number of Garda members by rank in the Cork Division who have retired or submitted their application to retire or are compulsory retirements in 2021, as of the 26 May 2021.
Com | D/Com | AC | C/Supt | Supt | Insp. | Sgt | Garda | Total | |
Cork City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 13 |
Cork North | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 |
Cork West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 28 |
These figures include voluntary retirements, compulsory retirements, cost neutral early retirements, resignations, medical discharges, dismissals and deaths in service. These figures are operational and subject to change.