The recent internal review of Garda recruitment policies has shed light on the ongoing challenges hindering the increase in Garda numbers in the near future. Despite promises from political parties to boost Garda numbers, expert consultants have cautioned that the current system will not support such growth. Delays in processing applications, insufficient salaries for recruits, and less competitive employment conditions have been identified as major obstacles in attracting new officers and retaining existing ones.
The report, conducted by Grant Thornton but yet to be published, was commissioned to address the service’s struggle in recruiting new members, which has become a contentious topic in the general election campaign. Lengthy processing times for applications, interviews, vetting, and providing start dates for candidates to begin training in Templemore have led to a majority of applicants seeking alternative employment opportunities. Security sources have criticized the current system as outdated and ineffective, with only a small fraction of applicants making it to the training college.
In the past two years, 1,306 trainee gardai have entered Templemore, with 818 probationers being attested. Efforts by the Department of Justice to address the issue include raising the upper age limit for recruitment, increasing trainee allowances, and extending the retirement age. However, Commissioner Drew Harris has stressed the need for at least 15,000 officers for adequate policing services, indicating a significant shortfall in the current strength of 14,125 gardai and 3,649 staff.
Various political parties have made commitments to recruit additional officers, with Fianna Fail pledging 5,000, Fine Gael proposing 6,000, and Sinn Fein setting a target of 16,000 gardai. Sinn Fein also plans to open a second training college and recruit an additional 1,000 officers annually. However, alongside recruitment challenges, the force is also grappling with the appointment of a successor to Commissioner Harris, who is set to retire soon.
One major issue complicating this process is the existing pension framework, which poses significant tax liabilities for retiring officers under the standard fund threshold set in 2014. Non-Irish applicants, like Commissioner Harris, do not face the same financial burdens upon retirement. Despite warnings about the potential consequences of this system, the Department of Finance has not fully implemented recommendations put forth by the Department of Justice.
James Morrisroe, deputy general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, has expressed concerns about the immediate challenges facing the force, emphasizing that retention is a critical issue. Many officers are leaving the Gardai for better pay and conditions elsewhere, highlighting the urgent need to address these issues to ensure a stable and effective police force.
In response to these challenges, the Garda press office has outlined a target service of 15,000 gardai, 4,000 professional staff, and 1,000 garda reservists. Despite the obstacles in recruitment and retention, efforts are being made to address these issues and strengthen the Garda force for the future.
