On Wednesday, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that the Garda trainee allowance would rise from €305 to €354 per week.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Slevin said recruitment campaigns have failed to meet the promised targets, with resignations and retirements further complicating the situation. He added that the government’s actions have not been enough to address current staffing shortages in the force.

In a context of full employment, more incentives are needed to attract people away from other jobs, Slevin emphasized. Although accommodation and food are provided at the Templemore training college for 10 weeks of the eight-month course, recruits are placed for the remaining period, often requiring additional accommodation costs.

“You don’t receive anything extra for the additional accommodation, and we have to consider that many recruits come from other jobs, often with financial commitments like mortgages or car payments. This is a training role for a full-time career, but we’re facing a recruitment crisis, and this won’t solve it,” he said.

“It’s a rewarding career, and I’d recommend it to anyone, but no one will pursue it without financial security. You need to earn enough to meet the cost of living, buy a house, and support a family. The current trainee allowance, which is still €4 below the minimum wage, simply doesn’t meet that need. That’s unacceptable.”