366 gardaí to take early retirement

ALMOST 370 experienced gardaí are to retire early from the force this year, according to new figures.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe said the high level of early retirement was a “major cause of concern”.

He called on Justice Minister Michael McDowell to commission a study to establish why so many gardaí wanted to leave.

He said figures released by Mr McDowell showed that 366 members were taking early retirement this year.

“The combination of retirements and delays in getting the retirement process underway will result in a total strength of the force this year of only 12,292 gardaí, instead of the figure of 14,000 promised three years ago,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

He added that there was a strong case for extending the compulsory retirement age of inspectors and sergeants from 57 to 60, as applies to senior officers.

“Otherwise there will be a major shortage of middle management officers in a few years’ time,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Mr McDowell said early retirement was taken into account in bringing the force to 14,000 by 2008. She said more than 3,300 officers were being taken on over the next three years.

Meanwhile, the country’s 14 local drug task forces (LDTFs) yesterday called on Finance Minister Brian Cowen to allocate an additional €15 million in the Budget to meet the costs of drug initiatives in 2006.

A spokesman for the LDTFs said only €6m had been set aside to cover the costs of a new Emerging Needs fund, the Regional Drug Task Forces plans and other costs.

He said the National Drugs Strategy Team estimated that €14.5m was needed for these budgets and an additional €6.5million in support budgets.

Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Noel Ahern said he was happy with the 8% increase in the overall budget but would be lobbying for supplementary increases in the Budget.