Bolstering Garda numbers post-Covid has taken time, says Simon Harris

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Justice Minister Simon Harris at the official opening of a new Garda Control Centre for the Dublin Metropolitan Region at the National Train Control Centre at Heuston Station (Brian Lawless/PA)

Bolstering Garda numbers following pandemic disruption to recruitment has taken time, the justice minister has said.

Simon Harris said forced closures of Templemore Garda training college during the Covid emergency resulted in around 1,000 fewer recruits joining up.