Garda recruits earn less than those in UK

Garda recruits are paid far less than their counterparts in England and Scotland and GRA representatives say it is ironic the Department they work for has ‘Equality’ as part of its title.

GRA members are furious with the Government for cutting new recruits’ pay and denying them a €4,000 a year rent allowance to which their colleagues up to the rank of chief superintendent are entitled.

Garda Michael McGrath from Killalla, Co Mayo, told the GRA’s annual conference in Killarney yesterday that recruits in the Metropolitan Police get €28,209 in their first year, Scottish police earn €30,826, but Garda recruits earn just €23,171.