Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Ceisteanna - Questions

An Garda Síochána

1:47 pm

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his detailed and comprehensive response to this question. I welcome the fact that, after the publication of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report, a decision was made that we would establish an implementation office within the Department of An Taoiseach. That showed the seriousness with which the Government was taking the implementation of this programme. Those of us who debate the justice legislation that comes before the House will be aware that a very significant amount of legislation has come here seeking to implement recommendations contained within that report.

One thing which has changed since the publication of the report is that we now recognise we have a recruitment crisis within An Garda Síochána. In fairness, that is not something that can be laid solely at the door of the Government. The Government has provided sufficient funding to provide for 1,000 extra gardaí last year and this year. Unfortunately, we are not getting the recruits in, and those who are expressing interest in joining An Garda Síochána are not getting over the obstacles that permit them to gain entry.

I ask that the implementation office within the Department would take into account that we have this recruitment crisis. We need to look at some options which we were aware of in the past but which we have not considered implementing, such as extending the retirement age. There are very many fine members of An Garda Síochána who would like to stay on but are forced to retire at 60 years of age. This is something we need to look at to ensure we can retain numbers within the force. Second, there are very many people in this country who find themselves doing boring desk jobs. After 35 years of age, they may want to look for a more exciting job but we do not permit them to join An Garda Síochána after the age of 35, which is something the implementation office needs to take into account.

The reason for this is that we have a problem with crime in the inner city and in Dublin, and I am sure we have it in other urban areas as well. It is a multifactorial solution that is required. One of the absolute solutions is to have more gardaí on the street because, without that, we will not be able to challenge this scourge of crime in our communities.

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