Mattie McGrath warns of appalling Garda numbers in Carrick and Shure
Deputy Mattie McGrath criticised policing numbers in Carrick and Shure and saluted Garda Pat Kelly, saying local rosters have fallen to dangerously low levels and officers need proper recognition and support. He called for "boots on the ground" rather than officials in offices, warning that current staffing is unfair to Gardaí and risks community safety.
Local shortages and community impact
McGrath said the numbers in Carrick and Shure, Clown Mill and "care and cashless" are appalling and frighteningly low. He warned there is now only enough Gardaí to fill one roster, with three at the moment or four if it goes to four, and said this leaves teams unable to cover each other.
Praise for local Gardaí
He saluted Garda Pat Kelly, who recently finished his term in Carrick and Shure, and highlighted Garda She-Connor's long-running senior citizens party as an example of vital community work carried out by local Gardaí.
Calls for resources and recognition
McGrath urged proper recognition and support for Gardaí, insisting on "boots on the ground" rather than officials in offices or reliance on body cams. He argued Gardaí need the resources and numbers to be safe themselves and to keep the community safe.
National figures and recruitment
A reply in the debate stated the number of Gardaí is now over 14,000, up from 12,800 in 2015 when it was at its recent low. Funding was said to be available to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí this year, with additional Garda staff also planned.
Resignation rate and staffing context
The reply also noted that about 100 Gardaí resigned last year, a resignation rate of about 1%, and characterised that rate as low in the context of modern job turnover.
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These people are flocking away from the job. I want to salute Garda Pat Kelly, who recently finished his term in Carrick and Shure. In Carrick and Shure, Clown Mill, and indeed care and cashless, the numbers are appalling and frighteningly low. So how far are you going to leave this go before you give proper recognition, proper support, I mean boots on the ground, not officials in offices or not body cams or anything else, members. Care Garda She-Connor held a magnificent senior citizens party recently, wonderful community event, every year since the 24th year of doing it, but they need the numbers to cover each other. In Carrick and Shure now, for instance, there's only one, enough Gardaí to fill one roster, and as I might say three at the moment, or four if it goes to four. It's a frightening situation and it's so unfair to the Gardaí who by and large do a next-line job, and I support them always, but they need the resources and the numbers to be safe themselves and keep the community safe. Thanks, Deputy. I appreciate that Gardaí all over the country are under a lot of pressure, and as our population increases, we need to increase the number of Gardaí as well. The number of Gardaí is now over 14,000. That's up from 12,800 back in 2015, when it was at its lowest in recent years. Funding is available to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí this year, and then also there will be additional Gardaí staff as well. I think it is reasonable to point out that of the 14,000 sworn Gardaí in the Gardaí organisation, about 100 resigned last year. That's a resignation rate of about 1%. In the modern world where people tend not to have jobs for life in the way they did, a 1% resignation rate of an organisation is well below average.
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