Garda Commissioner fast tracks attestation of trainee Gardaí to bolster high visibility policing and community engagement in response to COVID-19
Garda numbers now highest ever at over 14,750; Garda Staff at almost 3,000
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, TD, will this morning welcome 319 new members to An Garda Síochána following their attestation at a brief ceremony in the Garda Training College, Templemore. The new cohort will bring the number of sworn Gardaí to the highest ever, over 14,750.
The 319 new Gardaí will be deployed to Garda stations nationally in the coming weeks, where their presence will maximise the operational availability of An Garda Síochána and its ability to support other vital services in response to COVID-19.
Speaking of that deployment, Minister Flanagan will say:
An Garda Síochána has always been defined by a deep connection to community, a connection which, in almost 100 proud years of the organisation, has never been more badly needed. I want to assure those who are vulnerable, alone or afraid, you can count on our Gardaí. They will be there to reassure you and to help you.
At today’s ceremony, Minister Flanagan will also commend the 124 members who are redeploying from their duties in the College to frontline policing.
The ceremony will be brief and will observe social distancing protocols. There will be short speeches by the Minister and the Garda Commissioner, but unlike normal ceremonies, no families will attend.
The Gardaí attesting at the ceremony are moving to the frontline at an earlier point than they would have anticipated, due to the current unprecedented circumstances. Recognising that, Minister Flanagan will commend their determination and resilience and reassure them of the support that will be available:
Your experienced colleagues and supervisors will be on hand to guide you. The Government will not be found wanting in our financial support to the organisation. And I urge you to take strength too from the certainty that the community supports you.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister will say:
I thank you sincerely, on behalf of the Government, for your commitment – to family, to community and to country… Your early deployment will make a real and positive impact – in deterring crime, supporting other vital public services and reinforcing public confidence in their Garda Síochána.
Notes to Editors
To augment An Garda Síochána’s response to COVID-19, the Garda Commissioner has taken the operational decision to attest 319 Garda trainees from two separate intake classes earlier than scheduled.
Garda trainees generally complete 32 weeks of training at the Garda Training College, Templemore. The Commissioner has confirmed that the Garda members attesting early at today’s ceremony will return to the College when circumstances allow to complete their formal training.
The new cohort will however be full Gardaí with full powers and will enter the general population of An Garda Síochána and go to normal units. They will initially always be teamed with someone else and it is anticipated that they will, in many cases, initially assist with the community engagement being undertaken as part of the COVID19 response.
Government has allocated approximately €1.88 billion to the Garda Vote for 2020, which represents an increase of 7% on last year’s allocation. Capital investment of €116.5 million is also being made in An Garda Síochána this year, which is facilitating continuing investment in ICT, the Garda fleet and the Garda estate.
The Gardaí have also hired 210 extra community support vehicles to support this engagement effort.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in 2014, approximately 3,525 recruits have attested and been assigned to operational policing duties nationwide.