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Decision To Increase Retirement Age Of Gardaí, Defence Forces & Prison Staff Approved.

  • Retirement age of An Garda Síochána to increase from 60 to 62 years.
  • Extension will further support An Garda Síochána with the resources they need.
  • Additional measures to support recruitment into uniformed services to be considered.
  • Total gross allocation for Garda force in 2024 is €2.31 billion, an increase of over €172 million on 2023, the highest ever Garda Budget.
  • The next intake to the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary is scheduled for April 8th 2024.
  • Another 174 Garda Members are due to attest on March 22nd 2024.
  • Since 2020 approval has been granted for over 150 retirement extensions for Garda members, at the request of the Garda Commissioner; to work beyond the age of 60.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee T.D, along with An Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Mr Micheál Martin TD and the Minister for Public Expenditure Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D. have received Government approval to increase the mandatory retirement age in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service.

The increased mandatory retirement age in the uniformed services will be facilitated by amendments to the relevant pension legislation, to be brought forward by Minister Donohoe.

Speaking today, Minister McEntee said: “This increase in the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62 is just one measure I am taking to support An Garda Síochána, as this Government demonstrates its determination to build stronger, safer communities.
We know a strong An Garda Síochána is central to that and in order to keep it strong, it is important that we retain the knowledge and expertise of experienced people where possible. In addition, increasing the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer.
We are immensely grateful to our Gardaí and Prison Officers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the vital role that they play in keeping people safe.
I will continue to engage with Minister Donohue and the Tánaiste over the coming weeks to support this legislation and we will continue to explore any additional measures to support recruitment into An Garda Síochána and all our uniformed services”.

Both Minister McEntee and the Garda Commissioner have agreed that An Garda Síochána should grow to 15,000 and beyond. To reach that target, the government will continue to consider all additional measures to progress and enhance recruitment over the coming months.

Yesterday’s decision follows from other recent changes introduced to ensure that An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to keep people safe. This includes a record Budget allocation of over €2.35 billion, increasing the maximum age of entry to 50 and boosting the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week. This year’s Garda recruitment competition also received almost 6,400 applications, a significant increase on the 5,000 applications last year.

At present, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age.

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Agreement Reached On Thurles, Munster Hotel Car Park Rent.

We learned today that an agreement has been reached, allowing the public to continue to use the Munster Hotel car park, latter situated eastward, on the junction of Cathedral Street and Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Metal Cladding remains adrift on Munster Hotel roof, today in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pic. G. Willoughby.

A request sent to Ms Sharon Scully (Thurles MD Administrator), with regards to the details of the new financial package, paid by taxpayers, and now agreed between Tipperary Co. Council and the owner Mr Martin Healy, for the next 12 months, has not as yet been disclosed.

The possible non availability of the parking spaces into the future had been first highlighted by Cllr. Jim Ryan, after negotiations had apparently broken down, thus promising even greater reduction in not just town centre footfall, but major issue with regards to Church services and School student transport.
This massive reduction in footfall follows the half upgrading of Liberty Square, which according to the few remaining businesses trading in the area, has been reduced by at least 65% over the past 4 years.

Regrettably, changes to parking bays on Cathedral Street; same regulations changed in favour of the parking of School buses, which previously sat within the car park, will now have to be reversed again, to ensure that small businesses in the immediate area, continue to attract consumers.

Meanwhile, the large sheet of metal cladding, adrift on the Munster Hotel roof, continues to threaten any vehicles parked in the immediate area.
One wonders whose insurance company is involved and have they been made aware of the need to correct this dangerous issue?

The waste of taxpayers money continues.

By the way, talking about Cathedral Street, Thurles; one Pedestrian Crossing light bulb (Green) has not been working for some weeks, since it was struck by a high sided vehicle, same exiting MIC (St. Patricks College Thurles).

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Thurles Municipal District Council Continue To Waste Tax Payers Money.

The heavy duty vehicles continue to have problems in their efforts to pass through Thurles Town in Co. Tipperary. The galvanised railing, on the junction of Liberty Square and Slievenamon road, has been struck again in recent weeks; despite the street lighting left burning over a 24 hour period. See picture immediately below.

Pic: G. Willoughby.

Closeby in the same area, one or more ‘Uncouth Barbarian(s)’ have ripped open the casing on the Victorian visitor information display board. Nobody saw anything and anyway who cares. See picture immediately below.

Pic: G. Willoughby.

A short distance away, on Parnell Street for want of a spanner, the pedestrian lights situated a few metres from the offices of Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill, have been struck yet again (several weeks ago), by a high sided vehicle, and are possibly no longer fit for purpose. See picture immediately below.

Pic: G. Willoughby.

Looks like all Municipal District Officials; elected Councillors and TD’s continue to ‘sleep at the wheel’, while taxpayers money is being washed down the drain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have successfully turned our town into a now derelict uninhabited place.

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Munster Hotel Car Park Closed To The Public.

Despite the statements and so called interventions by Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill and Fianna Fáil Councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin, yesterday’s statement printed in the Thurles Cathedral Mass Booklet correctly states, quote:-

“As you are possibly aware, the Munster Hotel Car-park has now closed for public use. This is a regrettable decision for all who visit and attend ceremonies at our Cathedral. Please be aware of this and plan your parking accordingly when visiting the Cathedral. Please note that the MIC (St. Patrick’s College)is available for weekend parking. However, due to the increased number of students the MIC carpark is not available on weekdays during College term”.

This accounts for the fact that the coin slot on the parking metre in this car park was taped-over on Saturday last, although the tape was removed this afternoon (Monday March 4th).

Thurles Cathedral forecourt with partially completed marked car parking spaces.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Thurles.Info warned of this problem some weeks ago [January 8th, 2024], regarding parking for those attending Mass, Funerals etc at the Thurles Cathedral, and indeed the impending challenges and dangers caused by no parking for retailers/consumers, latter attempting to transact service in numerous small, nearby business premises.

Look skyward as you pass the former Munster Hotel building, latter Thurles town’s number 1 eyesore, believed to be owned by Mr Martin Healy (Member of Thurles Chamber of Commerce), as metal material is ready to displace itself from the Hotel’s roof.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

Right at this moment, while public car parking still occurs at the carpark in question; vehicle owners should be aware that our ‘eye in the sky’ has identified a large section of what appears to be metal material, that has broken loose from the roof of this Thurles town eyesore (Munster Hotel) and is due to descend into the car-park, therefore likely to strike a school bus, or other parked vehicle, or indeed likely to land in Cathedral Street, same propelled by a sharp south westerly wind blowing outside today.

Meanwhile, Thurles Cathedral (see pic. above) has partially undertaken, this morning, to mark out limited car-park spaces and pedestrian lanes on its tiny forecourt, in the interest of public health and safety.

‘The Source’ Car Park, paid for by Rate Payers, (which cannot accept buses) continues to remain closed today following an arson attack last year.
Pic: G. Willoughby.

The Source Car Park, paid for by Rate Payers, still remains closed, although the streamers, ripped from roof insulation which was left uncovered, appears to have been removed, indicating a possible opening in the near future and will, no doubt, be welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill or Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry.

Bicycle bays remained empty this morning as Thurles Town continues to becomes a “no go area” for motor vehicle parking.
This situation should be etched on the electorates mind, when local elections take place shortly, in our once thriving town.
Local newspapers and local radio stations should now be highlighting and publishing this wanton destruction of a town centre, instead of reposting/publishing, ‘willy-nilly’, the press releases of Local Councillors and resident TD’s.

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Education & Training Guide For Young People No Longer In Formal Education.

Further Education & Training Guide For Young People No Longer In Formal Education Launched.

  • Provides guidance on the further education and training options available who have left formal education.
  • Information not previously readily accessible for Youth Justice workers and participants of Youth Diversion Projects.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice Mr James Browne TD and Minister for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD have today launched a guidance document to help young people in Youth Diversion Projects, to access Further Education and Training related opportunities.

This includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and core literacy and numeracy services as well. Details are also included with regard to the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) which is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are under represented in higher education.

Minister Browne said: “We know that young people who leave formal education prematurely and do not make the transition into employment can be permanently affected in terms of longer-term life outcomes. Providing pathways back into education and training is an essential part of our Youth Justice response because it provides at-risk young people with opportunities to turn their life around.
This guide brings together the details of further education and training options available across the country to young people no longer in the formal school system. Our Youth Justice workers, who do amazing work helping young people across the country, will have a key role in matching young people with available training and other opportunities that suit their needs and interests”.

The potential negative impacts of being outside of the formal education sector are recognised in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027, which contains a strategic objective to address the effects of disengagement from education and early school leaving, and support those who may be vulnerable to disengagement.

Minister Collins said, “Further education and training is available in every county in Ireland. It can offer any person, regardless of any previous level of education, a pathway to take them as far as they want to go. The range of courses expands from law to childcare, to hairdressing and ICT. There is something there for everyone.
Today’s announcement brings together key information on what is available and how to access it, and it is there for you when you need it, for whatever you need it for. Throughout life, regardless of present or past circumstances educational opportunities are available for everyone right across country. I would encourage support services and all who come into contact with young people to use the guide to ensure the breadth of education and training options are known to them and their families”.

Youth Justice workers and young people participating in Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) will now have a nationwide list of the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) Adult Guidance Information Service contact points and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities that are available.

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