Tipperary TD Alan Kelly revealed to the Dáil yesterday that Garda management in Nenagh informed local councillors that there are not sufficient resources in the Tipperary-Clare division to meet the requirements of the area.
The Labour TD says there are huge recruitment and retention issues across the country for An Garda Síochána relating to pay and conditions and accuses the Government of ignoring the crisis.
Deputy Kelly outlined the difficulties in North Tipperary due to a lack of vehicles with no marked Garda car in Newport or Killaloe and Roscrea using a 2013 Ford Focus community policing car.
The Dáil also heard that frontline Garda are seeking jobs in the Garda College while others are on long term sick leave and not being replaced. The TD outlined how on some days there are six Garda on duty across Newport, Killaloe, Nenagh and Roscrea.
Minster Joe O’Brien responded in the Dáil as the Justice Minister had another commitment.
The Minister outlined that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda members and outlined measures taken by the government to strengthen the force by increasing the Garda budget, increasing the training allowance to €354 per week and increasing the maximum age of entry from 35 to 50. So far this year 430 Garda have qualified for Templemore.
As of June 2024, there are 656 Gardaí assigned to the Clare-Tipperary division which is an increase of ten since 2015.
In concluding, Minister O’Brien noted that the Community Safety Partnership will be coming into operation in Tipperary soon and says this committee is required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan.
