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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Donegal Garda numbers

Summary

Senator Boyle highlights Garda recruitment and resignation figures for Donegal, arguing the county's staffing levels do not justify its size and asking for a stronger Ministerial focus.

I have done a bit of work over the last couple of days on the Garda division figures in County Donegal. At present, we have 365 gardaí plus supervisors. That is a total of 436. Since 2023, there are been seven confirmed resignations. According to parliamentary data that I could get, total departures, from 2020 to 2024, inclusive, number 61. New Garda postings came out recently. We got three in 2024 and two in 2025. I want the Minister to have a focus on Donegal - it is seen as such a large county for recruitment - to see if there is anything we can do. The figures are not justified, given the size of County Donegal. Will the Minister have a look at the figures in Donegal and see if we can try to get another lot of gardaí up there?

While I am on my feet, I thank the gardaí who are on the beat in Donegal, and the superintendents.

In fairness, since I came to this House, whenever I have asked or looked for anything they have been very helpful. Perhaps the Minister would come in and give us an update on what we could do to get the figures up in Donegal.

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