As we celebrate the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána, it is appropriate to reflect on its current standing. Over the past 100 years, members of the Garda have served us with distinction and pride. We owe them a sincere debt of gratitude for their outstanding commitment and dedication. Over the years, the force has developed and expanded. It has constantly embraced new methods and technology. It is in a persistent battle to keep ahead of sophisticated and dangerous criminal activity. Over the past ten years there has been a concentration on putting in place Garda oversight bodies. Many gardaí will say they are now under more scrutiny than the criminals. Members of the Garda are swamped with paperwork and uploading data. More and more, I encounter Garda members who are unhappy, unfulfilled and disillusioned. Gardaí are our front-line protectors. They stand between law-abiding citizens and the multitude of dangerous elements within our society. We need to acknowledge and appreciate their heroic efforts in a tangible way.

The pay, terms and conditions of rank and file Garda members should reflect their primary role in our society. Concerns are mounting about the increasing numbers of gardaí who have quit the force. Worryingly, these figures include some who are leaving before they have even completed their probationary period. When resignations are added to retirements, we have 400 fewer members of the Garda now than we had this time last year. At the other end of the scale, the scant number choosing the Garda as a career is a grave concern. The Government set a target of 800 new trainees for 2022. Currently, there are just 96 recruits in Templemore Garda Training College. Increased resignations and a significant lack of trainees screams of problems within the Garda force.

Decisions by Garda management to amalgamate large districts across the country are now proving impossible to effectively control. As a result, people in towns and villages in Tipperary and across the country are left feeling vulnerable. People are growing increasingly afraid for their security and safety. Fear like this cannot be ignored. We need a greater Garda presence in our communities. We need to return to old-style visibility. Confidence and respect for Garda authority has faded. It is imperative that we take initiatives to revive it.

The ongoing dispute over rostering is damaging morale. There is growing discontent amongst members.

They are united in their view that it is more efficient and effective to continue working their current 12-hour shift on a four days on, four days off roster. To date, their voices and concerns have gone unheard. The growing frustrations of members of the Garda and the escalating fears of the public are not things that can be put on the proverbial long finger. A full review of all Garda operations must be a priority for the incoming reconfigured Government.

I thank the Deputy for raising these important matters relating to the Garda. I look forward to an early meeting with the Garda Commissioner in order that I have a chance to tease through some of these issues with him. We are in the process of reforming oversight of the Garda to establish the new office of the police ombudsman and I hope that reformed office will complete investigations into complaints in a more timely way. It is absolutely right that Garda members should be held to account but the fact that complaints can take years to be investigated is unfair. Those investigations can be left hanging over people. We hope it will become a speedier operation.

We have negotiated pay increases for Garda members, as the Deputy will be aware. Those increases are kicking in at the moment. They were accepted by the relevant organisations by very large majorities.

Recruitment and training of Garda members was significantly and understandably disrupted during the Covid restrictions but despite those restrictions, gardaí continued to be trained and attested during the pandemic, albeit in smaller numbers than we had planned. While the Commissioner is operationally responsible, the Government is committed to delivering the necessary resources to the Garda Síochána and bringing the total number of Garda members up to 15,000 and beyond.

Budget 2023 provides for funding to enable 200 recruits to enter the Garda College every three months. I was pleased that 92 new trainees entered the college at the end of November. Some 369 gardaí attested in 2022, bringing the total number who have completed their training this year to nearly 500. Despite a competitive jobs market, I take great confidence from the significant levels of interest shown in the most recent Garda recruitment campaign and take confidence in knowing that a further recruitment campaign next year will ensure a pipeline of suitable candidates.

As of the end of October, there were 14,200 members of the Garda across the country. In 2015, there were 12,860. We have seen a meaningful increase in the number of gardaí in the past six or seven years. The Garda is also now supported by over 3,000 Garda staff, which is a 50% increase on the numbers five years ago. That has freed up more than 800 Garda members from back-office duties to front-line policing.

I thank the Tánaiste for that response. It is also fair to say that arising from a trend towards violent disorder and aggression, the need for mental health and psychological support among members of the Garda force is growing and is a big concern. Up to the end of October of this year, €780,000 was spent on providing such support to members. That figure exceeds the entire amount spent in 2021. The figures show that 480 members were referred for psychiatric or psychological assessment, or for some form of mental healthcare, in 2021. Overall, almost €2.3 million has been required to provide psychological support to members of the Garda and staff who have dealt with traumas of some kind since 2020.

The increased numbers of resignations, the relatively low intake in numbers, dissatisfied members who feel unheard and the growing need for mental health support all pose a significant problem. I am asking that a full review of Garda operations will be high on the Government's agenda in early 2023.

I again thank the Deputy. He is correct to raise the issues of the mental health and well-being of gardaí. Being a Garda member has always been a tough job but it has become harder in recent years with the changing complexity of demands, some violence, quite frankly, and an increase in disrespect being shown to the Garda. One of the things we want to progress very soon is the use of worn body cameras, which can be an important protection to Garda members. I know they are in favour of that and we are keen to get it done next year. That requires legislation.

Garda management has introduced measures in recent times to support members, including a new employee assistance service, which is open to all Garda members and retired gardaí and their families. There is a 24-7 telephone helpline, a counselling service provided by Inspire Wellbeing and a peer support network. Arising from the cultural audit conducted this year, the Garda Commissioner acknowledged that while there are many positives in the service, it is clear that the organisation has more to do to ensure that people are being supported in their very challenging work.

I am advised that the resignation rate stands at 0.7%.