Shatter: Gardaí can manage up-coming surge in retirements
The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has insisted the Gardaí are well placed to manage a potential surge in retirements in the coming months.
It follows reports that 1,200 eligible members of the force could leave by next February. A confidential report seen by RTE reveals that 10% of stations could be left without sergeants and 8% could be left without any gardaí at all.
With a freeze currently in place on the recruitment of new members, it prompted a warning from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors that policing could suffer as a result.
Gardaí who wish to retire before new tax rules come in next year that would affect their retirement packages must serve notice by late October, so the true figures will be known then.
Minister Shatter said that important management and supervisory ranks would be maintained at the appropriate level through internal promotions.
