Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Everyone is happy to see recruitment under way but I am emphasising the figure of 1,498 gardaí eligible to retire. I remind the Minister of what the Garda Commissioner said at the committee meeting last week that she can easily have 500 members put through training in Templemore per annum. I emphasise that there will be an issue if there are 1,498 eligible to retire today in terms of the level of recruitment. It will fall short if we are to maintain headcount in the Garda Síochána at the magic number of 13,000. The Minister said 45 reserves were in training. How many will there be in the next intake? Can the Minister give an insight into the grand plan?

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