Justice minister doubles-down on 5,000 more gardaí target

Figures suggest that around 750 gardaí will be recruited this year.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has doubled-down on his belief that 5,000 gardaí can be recruited over the five years of the Government’s term.

It comes as figures suggest that around 750 will be recruited this year, while a Department of Justice report states that the Garda college is currently operating “at near full capacity” with 800 to 900 trainees per year.

While the Garda recruitment training capacity group acknowledged the “urgency” of the situation, it recommended that a further working group should be set up to examine the case for a second Garda college and the role third-level institutions could play in providing training.

The report said the 5,000 target “is now achievable”.

It concluded: “There is reason to expect that, all things being equal, the recruitment targets set by the Government can be met.” 

Asked how can the Government fulfil its commitment of 5,000 gardaí in five years, the minister said: “I don’t underestimate it is a challenge. Templemore can take 800 to 900 year, we are trying to get that up to 1,000.” 

Speaking at the Department of Justice briefing on Budget 2026, he said the current strength was 14,369 and that it should reach 15,000 within two to three years.

He said the gross Garda budget in 2026 was €2.59bn, compared to €2.48bn in 2025.

The minister said a total of €160m was going into Garda technology, including €19m to allow for the national rollout of the Garda body-worn cameras and a digital evidence management system.

He said a capital budget of €174m will see the completion of Bailieboro Garda Station, while construction will advance on the €18m Newcastle West and the €51m Portlaoise Garda stations. 

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan said the current strength was 14,369 and that it should reach 15,000 within two to three years. Picture: Leah Farrell

Construction of new stations in Macroom and Clonmel will start in the coming weeks.

The minister said there is an 11% increase in funding for the Probation Service, to allow for the recruitment of 100 staff to increase the use of community justice sanctions, restorative justice, and supervised bail as well as €2.1m to fund the introduction of electronic tagging.

He said €7.3m in additional funding is going to Youth Diversion Projects.

Capital investment of €68m is going to the Irish Prison Service, which is expected to deliver 1,600 additional spaces by 2031, the bulk coming in later years.

Budget 2026 documents show that around 250 extra spaces will be delivered this year and next. 

Prison figures show there are 5,508 inmates currently in a system with a maximum capacity for 4,675 people — with 830 prisoners on bunk beds or sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

Asked was he playing “Russian Roulette” with the safety of prisoners and prison staff, the minister said: "I don't believe I am."

He said his “options are fairly limited” and was trying to create more spaces as “quickly as possible” and was bringing in laws to increase consideration of community sanctions among judges.

Elsewhere he said an increase of €12m was being provided to tackle domestic and sexual violence and that €4.75m was being provided for the Community Safety Fund.

Mr O’Callaghan said €12m was being provided to the National Cyber Security Centre, an increase of €4m. 

In addition €3m was going towards a National Security Authority, to establish an internationally-recognised security clearance regime.

Asked what extra funding was being provided to Garda Security and Intelligence in terms of accommodation, IT, and staffing, including direct recruitment of civilian experts, Mr O’Callaghan cited funding under the National Development Plan to build a modern facility at Garda HQ for Garda Security & Intelligence, but did not comment on IT or staffing.