Mayo TD Michael Ring has welcomed the provisions in the Budget dealing with the Department of Justice, which will allow Garda recruitment to begin again next year, and for the purchase of hundreds of new Garda cars.
He said: “There are a number of very positive provisions in the Budget, which will allow us to make continued progress in the fight against crime, and will help to keep communities in Mayo safe. Confirmation that Garda recruitment will commence shortly is particularly welcome. We will see new recruits entering the Garda College in Templemore for the first time in five years, and the Garda force will be maintained at 13,000 members.”
The extra money to be spent on new Garda cars is also to be welcomed, he said. “An additional €9 million will be spent on the Garda fleet, which will allow for the purchase of several hundred new Garda cars. It is very important that, despite our economic constraints, we continue to invest in our Garda infrastructure, and I am confident that this measure will ensure that our gardaí will have modern vehicles in which to carry out their duties. It is planned to spend €5 million of this funding between now and the end of this year. This will bring to €18 million the total spend on the Garda fleet between 2012 and 2014, compared with just €5 million spent by Fianna Fáil in the previous three years.”
Minister Ring concluded by saying: “This Government is focused on reducing crime and protecting our communities. The hard work and dedication of the members of An Garda Síochána, through difficult economic circumstances in recent years must be highly commended. I am hopeful that we will continue to see a reduction in crime rates in the year ahead as we continue to modernise and invest in our Garda force”.
