FG & FF can’t be trusted on Garda Numbers – Labour launches recruitment and retention plan
- Garda numbers have gone backwards – sworn members lower now than 2020.
- Invest an extra €100m to expand Templemore, provide temporary training capacity, key worker housing and modern equipment.
- Increase €354 per week Garda Training Allowance to a starting salary.
- Provide incentives to recruit back members who have left, improve pay, and introduce an occupational supplementary pension.
- Gardaí in Dublin turning down overtime because they will lose their HAP payment.
Speaking at the launch of Labour’s plan to rebuild An Garda Síochána and reduce crime, Alan Kelly said Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can’t be trusted on Garda recruitment with sworn members now lower then when their government started in 2020.
Kelly outlined Labour’s comprehensive plan to boost recruitment and retention with a range of targeted measures to restore the morale of members, and ensure our communities are properly policed.
Deputy Kelly said:
“We’ve had four failed years of Garda recruitment and retention under Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. To distract from their abject failure these parties spent the last week rowing over who will be the next Minister for Justice before a vote is even cast.
“Four years ago FF promised 16,000 Gardaí while Fine Gael said we’d reach a record high of 15,000 by 2021. It didn’t happen.
“They’re now trying to cod people by telling them they’ll recruit between 5,000 to 6,000 new members over the next five years – a massive expansion they failed to do over the last four years.
“They simply can’t be trusted with the Department of Justice.
“Based on their record the plans from the government parties have no credibility. Their figures don’t add up and it’s all a distraction tactic.
“There were 14,100 sworn Gardaí as of June this year which is less than we had in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. This year to date only 430 probationer Gardai have attested, and there were only 388 in 2023.
“The lack of gardaí has impacted on community safety and devastated our model of community policing. They’ve spent millions building new garda stations, but we don’t have the Gardaí to staff the ones we have. Communities and serving members have no confidence in the ability of either of these parties to solve the staffing problem.
“Labour has a realistic plan to rebuild An Garda Síochána and will stand by Garda members to improve their pay, terms, and conditions. We know the sacrifices they make, and Labour will ensure a Garda career is valued, and the salary it pays recognises the risks they take. Labour’s plan will:
Grow the force to 16,000 by 2029 with a long-term goal of 18,000.
“Our goal is to expand Garda strength to at least 16,000 by 2029, with a long-term target of 18,000. This means recruiting at least 1,000 new Gardaí every year, accounting for expected retirements and resignations of between 400 to 500 a year.
“We will also introduce incentives to recruit back members who have retired or left the force to add experience, provide part time admin support, and provide a temporary boost to numbers.
Increase €354 Training Allowance to a starting salary.
“We’ve been saying for over two years that the €354 weekly training allowance is wholly inadequate. You can’t expect someone with a mortgage, rent, or family commitments to survive on that. Labour will increase this to a full starting salary, doubling the current allowance. This will cost up to €14 million annually, but it’s a necessary step to boost recruitment.
Expand Templemore and new Training Facilities.
“We need to expand the training facilities at Templemore. Labour will commit €75 million over five years to increase its permanent capacity and refurbish facilities. While that work is going on we will provide temporary training facilities at Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park and training modules in colleges to allow us to rotate more classes through Templemore. The overall €100m extra in capital spending will also support the development of key worker housing to ensure serving Gardaí have access to affordable accommodation in the cities and towns they are sent to serve in, and the modern cars and IT equipment they need.
Free up Frontline Gardaí.
“Labour will recruit an additional 200 civilian staff each year at a cost of €15 million, freeing Gardaí from non-core duties, bureaucracy, and administration so they can focus on frontline policing. We will also replace Gardai where feasible as prosecutors at District Court level with state solicitors to free them up for frontline policing rather than having to spend a day or two at court at times.
Occupational Pensions for Uniformed Services
“Labour will address problems caused by the single pension scheme by introducing an occupational supplementary pension to retain frontline uniformed services, not just in the Gardaí but across the Defence Forces, the Fire Service, and the Prison Service. This will recognise the additional burdens of their jobs, and the risks they take to protect and defend us.
Deputy Kelly concluded:
“People across Ireland are telling us they feel unsafe. Labour will rebuild trust through a stronger model of community policing. Every community should know their local Garda and feel confident in their presence. This is the first step to restoring security and peace of mind for families across the country.
“The numbers don’t lie. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed repeatedly on Garda recruitment. Labour’s plan is realistic and urgently needed to address this crisis. Public safety is too important for empty promises and political spin. It’s time for a government that delivers on its commitments to the Irish people.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Garda numbers have fallen consistently under the watch of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. We have less Gardai now – 14,100 as of 30th June 2024 then we had in 2019 (14,307), 2020 (14,491), 2021 (14,235) and 2022 (14,133). Figures from: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/66833-garda-workforce/
Labour’s Plan is available here: https://labour.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Labour-Garda-Recruitment-Plan.pdf