Mattie McGrath raised urgent concerns about policing in Tipperary and rural Ireland, saying response times are failing, backup is lacking and recruits are leaving. The minister replied that recruitment has increased, citing Templemore intakes and a large allocation of funding to the Gardaí.
McGrath's account
Mattie McGrath described the situation in Tipperary as "appalling" and said local numbers were "so bad." He criticised staffing at local stations, saying superintendents struggle to put out a patrol car and that people are waiting hours for replies to calls.
Operational failures cited
He said people "aren't getting replies to phone calls" and that residents have been told by superintendents to dial 999 yet still receive no answer. He warned of officers operating alone with no backup and cited injuries to people who were out on their own.
Local geography and fairness
McGrath listed affected areas including Clonmel and Tipperary town and said rural parts of the county were particularly shortchanged. He said rural Ireland deserves a fair share of policing resources and protection for its residents.
Ministerial response and recruitment figures
The minister replied that the Government has put a "huge funding allocation to the Gardaí" and highlighted training numbers at Templemore: 223 trainees entered in November, a total of 794 trainees entered in 2025, and 215 trainees entered on Monday 9 February. The minister said this was the largest intake since 2018 in annual terms and the third intake in a row exceeding 200.
Immediate consequences and next steps
McGrath said he supports the officers on the ground but insisted current conditions are unsafe for both the public and the Gardaí. The minister said more Gardaí will be allocated around the country as trainees complete Templemore, and that progress will continue.
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T-shirt, I'm back to the Gardner numbers as well. We're in an appalling situation in Tipperary. Indeed, the numbers are just so bad. We've got four in the second last tranche, but six left in the Gardner station, six experienced cars. We've got four in Tipperary. One of those new recruits sadly has left to four since. We've got one disallocation. The superintendents tell me they struggle to put out a patrol car. People aren't getting replies to phone calls. They've been told by superintendents now to die 999. They still don't get answers. They're waiting hours, never going to receive a comeback. I support the Gardner that are there doing their best, but it's just not fair or safe to those Gardner themselves. A number of people have injured when they were out on their own. No backup. It's just chronic situation in Clonmel, Carrickenshire, Caer was never as bad, Tipperary town, and all the rural areas. It's lovely to see them all going to Dublin, yes, so we support that too, but we want a fair share in the countryside. The people of the country, rural Ireland, good people. They deserve protection. Thank you, Deputy. T-shirt to respond now. Sad situation. T-shirt to respond. First of all, as I've outlined, we've put a huge funding allocation to the Gardaí. We've record numbers going through Temple Moor. 223 trainees entered in November. It's the largest intake to Temple Moor since 2014. It's only over 10 years. The total number of trainees to enter Temple Moor in 2025 was 794. That's the largest yearly total since 2018. And 215 trainees entered on Monday, the 9th of February. It's the third intake in a row, where the numbers have exceeded 200. And these candidates were all from the 2024 and 2025 recruitment campaigns. So we will, Dieghe Ernieg, gradually, allocate more Gardaí around the country as they come through Temple Moor. A lot of progress has been made now. And we will continue to make that progress. Often, as we mentioned, you've mentioned Tipperary, we will get around to the country in terms of the further allocations. Aidan Farrelly
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