Commissioner: 325 garda recruits needed every year

Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan has said that 325 garda recruits are required every year to keep staff numbers at the minimum strength of 13,000. That is 26 recruits more than are being trained this year.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins questioned this estimate given that the strength currently stands at 12,799 and that 230 of those were on career breaks. He also said the force faces an “exodus” with almost 1,500 members eligible to retire.

Speaking at the Oireachtas justice committee, Ms O’Sullivan was asked three times by senator James Heffernan if the Provisional IRA still existed— but declined to give a direct answer.