Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We all know there is a huge recruitment crisis. There have been many promises and budgetary commitments but, as the Minister said, budget is clearly not the issue. We have to look at what the issue is and why we cannot meet targets, or recruit to cover the capacity of those who are leaving, out sick or on suspension. We are in a bad way. We are in crisis and that crisis needs to come to a head. The recent recruitment campaigns have been well oversubscribed. The demand among the public might actually be there but there is some reason we are not getting people into the system.

Maybe we need to open a second Templemore training college somewhere else in the country. We certainly need to look at accommodation. When I talk to new recruits, their biggest issue is that they are coming out of the college trained but have not been stationed anywhere. A week out from having to become a member of An Garda Síochána on the streets, they do not know where they are going to live or whether they will get accommodation.

See this speech in context