12/10/2016

Justice And Equality Budget To Increase By €85m

The budget for the Justice and Equality sector is to be increased by €85 million, totalling €2.54 billion in 2017.

Funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits in 2017 and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. A total of €71.5 million has been provided for Garda overtime to allow for sustained pressure to tackle gangland crime, fund the continuation of Operation Thor and ensure that measures to prevent international terrorism are unrelenting throughout 2017.  

Welcoming the funding, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, TD, said: "This Government restarted Garda recruitment in 2014 after a time lag of 5 years. I can now announce that the Government has approved my proposal that by 2021 the Garda workforce should comprise a total of 21,000 personnel; to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

"The funding will allow for recruitment of 800 Gardaí and up to 500 civilians in 2017. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300 in 2017. Securing this funding will support and strengthen the reform process underway in An Garda Síochána.  

"I also welcome the funds totalling €71.5 million in 2017 for Garda overtime which will facilitate the continuation of large scale operations targeting gangland crime, burglary and terrorism. This is resource intensive, difficult and dangerous policing work but the investment to date in An Garda Síochána has yielded results and this funding will ensure these significant efforts can continue next year. I have also secured €1 million for a new round of community CCTV schemes in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment to provide investment in CCTV systems along the road network and in urban centres."  

(MH/CD)

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