Rural Garda allocation
Deputy Murphy argues that new Garda recruits must be distributed to towns such as Clonmel and other Tipperary communities, not only cities. The Tánaiste says allocation is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and will convey his concerns.
It will be a very positive day in Templemore tomorrow when 194 new recruits will be passing out. Unfortunately, many of these new recruits will be allocated to the metropolitan cities while in my constituency the key towns of Tipperary, Cashel, Cahir, Fethard, Carrick-on-Suir and my hometown of Clonmel will be left behind. I am sure the Tánaiste will agree that maintaining law and order is not just a challenge for our cities. It is a challenge for every town, village and community across Ireland. I am very proud of Clonmel but maintaining law and order is an enormous challenge. Of the four allocations this year, we received four additional gardaí but many more have transferred out. At the end of this year, Clonmel will have fewer gardaí than it did at the beginning of it. I appeal to the Tánaiste to intervene.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Murphy very much for raising this issue. Garda attestations are one of the most joyous occasions I have attended in a variety of roles. Putting on the uniform of An Garda Síochána is an ultimate act of public service and I join with the Deputy in wishing everybody well tomorrow. I presume the Minister for justice will be in the Deputy's county tomorrow. I will ensure the Deputy has an opportunity to raise this matter with the Minister directly.
In the first instance, the distribution of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I will ensure the Deputy’s views are conveyed directly to him. I do, however, take the point the Deputy made. We have gone through several challenging years in terms of Covid, the college being shut down and the likes. We are now back with a very steady pipeline, for want of a better phrase, of gardaí going in and out of Templemore. I know the Minister has plans to further increase the capacity in Templemore as well. The programme for Government also commits to exploring other opportunities to recruit and train more gardaí. Making sure that every part of Ireland gets a fair provision based on the needs of the community, including Clonmel, Cahir and other towns, is important. I will certainly support the Deputy in making sure south Tipperary is adequately resourced, and I will speak to the Minister.