Garda pay and numbers could be in firing line in budget

Numbers and pay in the gardaí and defence forces could be in the firing line when it comes to government spending after reviews found they were areas that could be targeted for savings.

Finance and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will assess reviews for a number of State agencies and spending areas, in lead-up talks on putting together next year’s budget.

A paper entitled ‘Challenges to Investment in Policing ‘finds greater civilianisation in the forces would result in better savings.