Minister announces at least 500 more gardaí for the force in 2016
The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said at least 500 new gardaí will be recruited next year.
Middle-ranking gardaí say the force is under-resourced and are calling for money to be ring-fenced within the budget to fight crime.
While Ms Fitzgerald would not comment on budgetary matters, the Minister did say recruitment would continue.
She said: "What I have committed to, and what theTaoiseach committed to during his last visit to Templemore, was ongoing, continuous recruitment.
"So I have said 500 gardaí at least next year. We need ongoing, continuous recruitment because Templemore effectively closed in 2009.
"We have opened it and we now see the graduation of more gardaí."
