€24m more for garda overtime

THE garda overtime budget will jump by almost 40% to €83.5 million next year, according to the Estimates published yesterday.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said this will allow for 2.7 million extra manhours of policing by uniformed officers and specialist crime units.

He said the Estimates provide for a significant increase in funding for juvenile diversion programmes, garda patrols and a garda voluntary reserve.