Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. There were a number of questions. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to the target of 15,000 gardaí, which is in the programme for Government. That means there will be accelerated recruitment to the Garda College. We recently provided additional funding to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to supplement the original 2016 Estimate in order that the expansion of Garda activities could proceed. There is no doubt that there will be additional requirements at Templemore to meet the additional work, and I understand the Tánaiste expects to hear back from the Garda as to the precise requirements. The force is preparing a detailed recruitment plan to deliver gardaí. That will have to be in the context of the forthcoming budget. I am not aware of whether gratuities or encouragement to remain in the force has been considered. I will alert the Tánaiste to the Deputy's concerns in that regard. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, will be dealing in the first 100 days as Minister with a comprehensive housing strategy. I will alert him to the Deputy's point about available resources.

On the wider issue of the industrial relations situation, the Lansdowne Road agreement is the context within which the Government has provided for the gradual restoration of public pay. Over the working out of the Lansdowne Road agreement, €884 million will be provided in increased public pay. Certain organisations have opted out of the Lansdowne Road agreement to date, of which the GRA is one. The Tánaiste continues to be open to discussion with the GRA, and it is her hope that the GRA, as I hope in respect of the ASTI, will comply with the Lansdowne Road agreement. It is only through such collective agreements that we can balance the need the Deputy outlined for extra resources for policing and housing with the legitimate expectation of people to see pay restored. The Lansdowne Road agreement offers that balance and it is very important.

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