'FF and FG can't be trusted on Garda recruitment' - Deputy Alan Kelly

Speaking at the launch of Labour’s plan to rebuild An Garda Síochána and reduce crime, Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly said Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil 'can’t be trusted on Garda recruitment' with sworn members now lower than when the government started in 2020.

Deputy 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.

“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”, he said.

“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. 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”, he said.

“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.”

He said Labour’s plan will grow the force to 16,000 by 2029 with a long-term goal of 18,000; increase to €354 the Training Allowance to a starting salary; expand the Garda College in Templemore and new training facilities; free up frontline Gardaí by recruiting an additional 200 civilian staff each year at a cost of €15 million and provide occupational pensions for eniformed service members.

“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”, Deputy Kelly said.

“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”, he said.