Three hundred civilians to free up gardaí
A further 300 civilian staff are to be drafted into the Garda Siochana to free up more officers to go on the beat.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell was today granted approval by the Government to sanction the extra posts.
The latest recruitment follows on the back of another 300 civilian positions filled last December.
A newly-created Civilianisation Verification Board is tasked with freeing up desk-bound officers to undertake frontline policing roles.
In a bid to beef up criminal investigations, a total of 29 Crime and Policing Analysts were also hired in recent months.
Meanwhile the Cabinet also today approved senior appointments to be made to the force in coming days, including two Assistant Commissioners posts and a number of Chief Superintendents and Superintendents.
