Senator Mark Daly leads calls to bring back retired gardaí to fill gaps in force

Calls have been made to bring back retired gardaí to fill vacant positions left by members of the force on leave.

More than 1,000 gardaí have taken leave already this year, and this figure does not include those members of the force who are out of work due to illness.

The figures, which include those on maternity leave, carers’ leave, or career breaks, show that one in 12 gardaí availed of leave for the first 10 months of 2015.

Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly now believes retired members would be drafted in to fill gaps in the force.

A total of 321 gardaí had taken paid parental leave up until the end of last month, while 122 members had taken unpaid maternity leave and another 312 availed of parental leave.

“In the cases of teachers and nurses there are substitutes brought in to cover but there is no such measure for the gardaí,” Mr Daly said.

“Retired gardaí could go on a substitute or replacement list and they would be available to go back into the force in the same way as we do with nurses and teachers.”

Mr Daly said his proposals is “a common-sense approach” as leave cannot be covered by civilians.

Five members of the force took carer’s leave while 106 had taken an incentivised career break and a further 13 took a career break.

A Department of Justice spokesman said no request has been made by garda management to recruit retired members of the force to fill in for those on leave.

A garda spokesman said: “There are no plans to take on retired garda members.”