JUSTICE:GARDA NUMBERS are set to decline by 1,500 – more than 10 per cent of the force – over the four-year recovery plan.
The reductions in personnel, which will be achieved through retirements and natural wastage, will reduce the Garda from its current strength of 14,500 to 13,000.
Many members are likely to take early retirement over fears that their tax-free gratuity sums may be taxed next year. If this happens, the number in the force will dip well below 13,000, back to the levels of five years ago. The shortfall will be partially offset by more flexible rostering, which forms part of the Croke Park agreement.
The four-year plan says little about the specifics of how this will work, other than to say the new rostering system “will ensure there are enough gardaí to meet priority policing demands”.
The plan also raises the prospect of greater civilianisation, freeing up more gardaí for frontline duties.
The commitment to cut expenditure across the justice area by more closely controlling overtime is likely to have a significant impact on the Garda. The force has always operated on high levels of overtime because of the unpredictable nature of surveillance and other operational work.
In relation to the prison service, there is no indication whether the planned Thornton Hall prison in north Co Dublin will proceed. Sources said plans, or otherwise, for the new jail should be dealt with in the budget.