In a move to attract more recruits to An Garda Síochána, the Irish government has announced a significant increase in the Garda Training Allowance. Justice Minister Helen McEntee revealed that from October 1, trainee gardaí will receive €354 per week, up from the current €305.
This raise comes on the heels of an earlier increase in January when the allowance jumped from €184 to €305 per week. The latest boost means the training allowance has nearly doubled in just 12 months.
Speaking at a Fine Gael event in Tullamore, Minister McEntee emphasized that this is part of a broader strategy to bolster garda recruitment and retention. Other recent measures include raising the maximum entry age to 50 and extending the retirement age to 62.
The announcement comes as An Garda Síochána faces challenges in maintaining its numbers. Despite a record budget allocation of €2.35 billion for 2024, garda strength stood at 14,064 at the end of July, falling short of the 15,000 target set by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
Minister McEntee stressed that “no action is off the table” when it comes to supporting garda recruitment. She has established a special group to explore additional ways to boost numbers, with recommendations expected soon.
The increased allowance aligns with the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 and is hoped to make a career in law enforcement more attractive to potential recruits. As the Garda Síochána continues to evolve, this pay boost signals a renewed focus on building a strong and diverse police force for Ireland’s future.
According to The Journal, the garda force has seen 88 resignations and 154 retirements in the first seven months of this year alone, underlining the urgency of these recruitment efforts.