Fitzgerald welcomes allocation of four new gardai for Clondalkin

MINISTER for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the allocation of four new garda recruits to the Clondalkin district.

The move followed the graduation of 143 new gardaí from Templemore on Monday, April 24.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Minister Fitzgerald, said the government plan is to achieve an overall garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021.

This is set to comprise 15,000 garda members, 2,000 reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

A recruitment campaign for the garda reserve which recently closed, received a “strong response” according to the Minister.

“The moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardai introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána but we are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the resources needed to allow the implementation of the Garda reform programme,” she said.

“In all, 2017 will see 900 trainees become members of An Garda Síochána. This will bring garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, to around the 13,500 mark by year end, an increase of 500 from the end of 2016 – this is real progress on the road to 15,000 members.”

The Minister said the plans include substantial investment in “critical information technology” and other facilities including fleet and stations.