Questions Around Garda Fitness Raised In Dáil Amid Growing Resignation Numbers

Thursday, 20 October 2022 11:21

By Ciara Noble @niaracoble

1 garda per 560 people in Co. Kildare

There are approximately 14,300 gardaí stationed throughout Ireland.

Around 300 officers retire every year after serving 30 years service.

A further 399 have resigned prematurely since 2018.

Some gardaí are quitting the force early due to burnout and stress, according to a representative body.

There were 77 in 2018 - but by 2021 that figure had risen by almost a quarter, to 95.

There were 86 resignations in the first nine months of this year - suggesting 2022's figure will well exceed 100.

Kildare Gardaí

According to official Garda figures, as of 31st August 2022 there were 441 Gardaí in the Kildare division.

Preliminary results of Census 2022 revealed Co. Kildare had one of the fastest growing populations in the country.

The county's population was recorded at 246,977.

Equating to approximately 1 garda per 560 people in Kildare.

On Thursday afternoon's 'Kildare Focus' Garda Representative, for the Kildare region, John Joe O'Connell discussed a number of issues.

Including fitness of gardaí, which was raised in the Dáil.

While being questioned on Thursday, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee said “there were a number of people who could not pass the fitness tests and that is a problem that is actually rising”.

Minister McEntee was responding to questioning by Kildare North TD & Social Democrats Co-Leader, Catherine Murphy.

Deputy Murphy noted Kildare, and the Minister's constituency, Meath “are two outliers in terms of Garda numbers. They are way off a fair allocation.”

The Kildare North TD added that according to official figures, Meath has half the national average of gardaí, which must be the "worst ratio" adding and "you’re the Minister for Justice”.

Listen back to Garda O'Connell's interview below: