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OFFICER DRIVE

Major new garda shake-up plan set to be announced in desperate bid to boost recruitment numbers

THE entry age to become a garda is set to be increased to 50, the Irish Sun can reveal.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Commissioner Drew Harris are expected to make an announcement about the move today.

The age limit for joining An Garda Siochana is currently 35, but this will be raised to 50 in a bid to attract more new recruits.

The decision will be announced today at a ceremony where 126 gardai are set to graduate from the Templemore Training College.

The Government has committed to recruiting between 800 and 1,000 new gardai in 2024.

The Coalition had set a target for 1,000 new recruits this year but faced a struggle to fully hit that target.

A source told the Irish Sun: “A new age limit of 50 is being chosen to widen the opportunity to join An Garda Siochana but also ensure that there is an appropriate period of time for between someone entering An Garda Síochana and retiring ten years later.

“The retirement age is currently set at 60, and Minister McEntee is also in discussions with Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe on this issue.

“The change to the entry age can only be made by way of regulation following approval by the Cabinet, and Minister McEntee will bring proposals to Government shortly.”

Trainee gardai are set to see their wages rise by €121 per week starting next week as part of Budget 2024, the Irish Sun can reveal.

Wannabe gardai currently earn just €184 per week throughout their 33-week training.

However, this is set to rise to €305 and will kick in immediately on budget day, the Irish Sun understands.

A source said: “The Minister is concerned about the number of new recruits entering An Garda Siochana and wants to try new measures to increase applications.

“The new wage officially won’t start being paid until January 1st as it is a budget measure.

“However, all trainees that are currently in training will get back paid in a lump sum so it is effectively kicking in from budget day.”

‘CONCERNING PICTURE’

TD Michael Lowry called on Commissioner Drew Harris to “listen to the realities on the ground”, saying the force is at a “crucial crossroads”.

He said: “Morale in the force is at an all-time low. This is made evident by the issue of recruitment and retention numbers.

“Many serving members I have spoken to tell me they cannot wait to get out.

“Decreasing recruitment and increasing retirements paint a very concerning picture for the future.

“Confidence and ­optimism within the Gardai are at their lowest ebb since the foundation of the force.”

Lowry also blasted Justice Minister Helen McEntee over the poor money on offer.

He said the Government must address the pay and conditions on offer to officers starting out.

The TD described the Garda training allowance of €184 per week as “derisory”.

He said: “The Government must realise that pay and terms and ­conditions for Gardai are not adequate. This is the principal reason that a once sought-after career is now overlooked.

“Throughout the 1990s, we had a consistently large number of recruits who are now edging towards retirement eligibility. With the current recruitment trends, we will not have sufficient numbers to replace them.”

• Published: 7:00, 13 Oct 2023