Gardaí criticise cut to training funds

Frontline gardaí have strongly criticised cuts to the training budget at a time of accelerated recruitment and a backlog of training needs for existing members.

The Garda Representative Association, with more than 10,400 rank and file members, said the cuts in training were “inexplicable”, particularly given the “chronic lack” of training over the last 10 years because of austerity.

Budget 2018 shows that the training and development budget was cut from €12.7m in 2017 to €11.6m in 2018, down 8%.