Minister planning to recruit more gardaí

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has today signaled that he may be about to recruit gardaí for the first time since 2009.

The numbers of gardaí retiring is larger than expected and no garda has graduated since April 2011.

Minister Shatter said that he does not want the force to fall below 13,000, which could now happen before the end of this year.

He said that he plans to bring proposals to Government within weeks.

"I am reviewing the position regarding Garda numbers in light of an estimated reduction to just over 13,000 by the end of 2013," he said.

"In this context, I'll be bringing proposals to Cabinet in the coming weeks.

"I'll be making these proposals as part of a wider determination to ensure that the Garda Síochána has the greatest possible resources available to it."