The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee attended the passing-out ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore to welcome 102 new Garda members.

The new Garda members have now completed their training and will be placed in Garda Divisions throughout the country.

Minister McEntee said, “I am delighted to be able to meet the newest members of An Garda Síochána in person today. I know the commitment the new recruits have made in joining An Garda Síochána is not one that is taken lightly and it demonstrates a deep dedication to public service that few can truly appreciate.”

“It is particularly special that these new members are joining in the year of the Garda centenary. These members will play an important role in shaping the second hundred years of the organisation. I wish them each the very best in their vital career keeping all of us safe.”

This group is the 27th intake to commence training under the new BA in Applied Policing Programme.

The new recruits commenced online training in September 2021 for three weeks followed by one week of intensive training in the Garda College October 2021.

These attestations bring the total number of members of An Garda Síochána to approximately 14,396, a substantial increase from 12,943 Garda members in 2016. Of those attesting today, 38 members (37%) are women while 16 members (15%) were born outside the State.

The Minister added, “I want to commend Commissioner Drew Harris and the wider Garda organisation for the significant efforts that are being made to encourage diversity among members. It is vital that everyone in our society sees members of their own communities serving in An Garda Síochána – I wish a particular welcome to the 38 women attesting today as well as the 16 new Gardaí born outside the State, including from Poland, Brazil, Ukraine and Lithuania amongst other countries.”

“I was likewise very pleased to see the wide interest in joining An Garda Síochána evident from the latest recruitment campaign, with approximately 40% of applicants women and the notable increases in numbers applying from minority backgrounds including Travellers, Black Irish and Asian Irish.”

Budget 2022 reflects the commitment of Government to ensuring that our communities are safe and that An Garda Síochána has the resources required to operate effectively. The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of over €2 billion for 2022.