Overtime bill for gardaí plummets

The Garda overtime bill has plummeted from €115.3m in 2008 to €42.4m last year.

The huge reduction — the bill almost halved since it stood at €81m in 2011 — has been attributed to changed work practices in the force.

Further cuts are factored in for this year, as the Haddington Road Agreement takes effect, with the provision for Garda overtime standing at €39.6m.