Changes to the An Garda Síochána Operating Model will have a negative impact on the public and on the Gardaí themselves says Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry.
A number of reforms and changes are taking place a present and the Independent says the force numbers are not sufficient to deliver the model being implemented.
County Tipperary and County Clare now form a new Division with a combined population of almost 300,000 people.
The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is changing the roster to the pre covid roster which will see Garda work 10-hour shifts for six days, before having four days rest. Garda prefer the pandemic roster of working 12-hour shifts with four days on and four days off.
To accommodate the roster, the number of units within the county will be five which is unworkable according to rank and file Garda without depleting specialised units and rural stations.
Deputy Lowry says Clonmel, Thurles and Nenagh can manage the new structure but not Sub-Districts such as Carrick-on-Suir, Roscrea and Templemore. Similarly, “District Headquarters like Cahir and Tipperary Town would be relying on Sub Districts to supplement their units to make it work, thus leaving rural stations empty” according to Deputy Lowry.
Specialised units such as Armed Response, Drugs and Crime Garda may be reallocated.
Deputy Lowry says this will be welcome news to perpetrators of crimes. The focus should be on recruitment and not reform according to Deputy Lowry.
Garda retirement figures continue to exceed the number being recruited, and recruitment is at an all-time low. Commissioner Drew Harris is expected to recommend that the upper age limit of 35 for joining An Garda Síochána be increased to 45 or 50. The entry age limit of 35 has been in place since 2004, when it was increased from 26. The change can be made only by way of regulation following its approval by the Cabinet.
“There will be no drop in standards across the organisation due to this move. All applicants will still be required to undergo medical tests, fitness tests, physical competency tests and vetting” according to the Garda Press office.
