An increase in the Garda training allowance from €305 to €354 has been heavily criticised by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) after it was announced on Wednesday
The Garda Representative Association has blasted a proposed increase in the Garda training allowance as "little more than a paltry crumb to plug the vast gap between the rate of payment versus the cost of living" after it was announced on Wednesday.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that the Garda training allowance would increase from €305 to €354 as part of a number of actions she is taking to boost Garda recruitment. At the Fine Gael Think-In at the Tullamore Court Hotel, the Minister said that the increase would be in line with increases provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026 and would come into effect on October 1. READ MORE: Banned motorist who died with passenger while fleeing gardai was twice legal alcohol limitThe announcement, however, was criticised in a statement by the GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin, who called for trainee Gardaí to take home the equivalent of 80 per cent of the rate of first-year qualified Gardaí rather than the training allowance, which equates to just over €12,000 over a 34-week training period. "While we welcome the fact that the Minister has acknowledged that there is a serious issue with the current Garda Training Allowance, this proposed increase represents little more than a paltry crumb to plug the vast gap between the rate of payment versus the cost of living," the statement read. "€354 per week over the 34 weeks of training amounts to little over €12,000 and I am not sure of how anyone could survive on that pay, particularly during their 10 weeks when trainee Gardaí can be deployed to large cities for 'on the job' training with exponential living costs. "Minister McEntee has consistently stated that law and order is at the top of her priority list yet the treatment, pay and conditions of Gardaí, as well as our demands that she take real decisive action to deal with our ongoing recruitment and retention crisis, seems to have been met with another half hearted response. "Our position is that trainee Gardaí should at the very least be taking home the equivalent of 80 per cent of the rate of first year qualified Gardaí to make ends meet but this measure falls far short of that. And as an Association that proudly represents the vast majority of Gardaí, it is particularly galling that we have first found out about this decision through a FG Press Office Release and not through proper, meaningful consultation." Making the announcement on Wednesday, Minister McEntee said: “Budget 2024 provided the highest ever allocation to An Garda Síochána - over €2.35 billion, a 25 per cent increase since 2020. “This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, as well as investment in vehicles, equipment, and facilities for the organisation. Investing in An Garda Síochána and Garda recruitment is essential to protecting the security of the state, tackling crime, and keeping us all safe. “Today I am announcing a further increase in the Garda training allowance from €305 to €354. This will build on the previous increase and represents an almost doubling of the allowance in the last 12 months. “This is one of a number of actions I am taking to support Garda recruitment and retention. Other actions have included increasing the age of entry into An Garda Síochána from 35 to 50, increasing the retirement age and commencing a new Garda reserve competition. “I have consistently said that no action is off the table when it comes to supporting Garda recruitment. I have established a Garda Recruitment Training Capacity Group to make recommendations on additional actions to increase recruitment, and that will report to me shortly.” Sign up to the Irish Mirror's daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox.
Please follow us on Google to support usIn The News Gardai Helen Mcentee
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Female back-seat passenger killed in late-night crash as Gardai close roadThe road remains closed this morning to allow for a full Garda forensic examination
Read more »
Garda numbers fall as recruitment struggles blamed on ‘competitive employment market’Dozens of successful candidates in each intake have not taken up their places over the past two years
Read more »
Falling Garda numbers ‘a real crisis that needs addressing immediately’The continuing fall in Garda numbers is now ‘a real crisis that needs addressing immediately’, the Garda Representative Association has warned.
Read more »
Garda previously accused of raping teenager challenges ongoing suspension from dutyProbationer member, who has never been charged or prosecuted, says allegation withdrawn in 2021
Read more »
Barn Jackets Are Trending: Here Are 5 We Love, From €49Online
Read more »
Garda sanctioned over 'sexual relationship with victim of domestic abuse'The sanction imposed by a Garda Board of Inquiry
Read more »