Garda Training Set For Major Changes As Minister Announces 21 Recommendations For The Future Of Policing.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan has announced the publication of a major review of Garda education and training, setting out 21 recommendations aimed at strengthening An Garda Síochána over the next decade. The report, prepared by the Garda Training Review Group under the chairmanship of Mr Jim Breslin, examines how Garda recruitment, professional development and specialist training can be improved to meet the changing demands of modern policing.
Templemore to Remain at the Heart of Garda Training: One of the most significant findings is that a second Garda training college is not currently required. Instead, the review recommends that the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, remain the primary training centre for new recruits. Ongoing investment and improvements to this facilities are expected to enable the college to accommodate approximately 1,000 new Garda recruits each year.
Greater Opportunities for Education and Professional Development. The report also highlights the importance of strengthening partnerships between An Garda Síochána and universities and Technological Universities throughout Ireland. These partnerships could provide Garda personnel with greater access to specialist education, professional qualifications, research and career development opportunities. The aim is to ensure that Garda members have the knowledge, skills and training necessary to respond effectively to increasingly complex policing challenges.
21 Recommendations to Shape the Next Decade The Review Group has put forward 21 recommendations covering three key areas:
Strategic and operational planning, including workforce requirements and investment in training facilities.
Planning for future flexibility to ensure Garda training can respond to changing organisational needs.
Future education and training development, including closer cooperation with higher education institutions.
The recommendations are intended to support a more modern, adaptable and professionally developed police service. Minister to
Discuss Next Steps with Garda Commissioner Minister O’Callaghan welcomed the findings and thanked Mr Jim Breslin and his Review Group for their work. He reaffirmed his commitment to Templemore, as the country’s principal Garda training college, while supporting closer relationships with regional Universities and Technological Universities. The Minister has confirmed that he will discuss the recommendations with the Garda Commissioner.
A Significant Step for the Future of An Garda Síochána. The publication of this report represents an important opportunity to strengthen Garda training, improve professional development and ensure the organisation is equipped to meet the policing challenges of the years ahead.
Attention will now turn to how the recommendations are implemented, the investment required and the practical benefits they can deliver for Garda personnel and the communities they serve.
As the darker, colder evenings set in and households across Tipperary stock up on home heating oil, Gardaí are reminding the public to take precautions against heating oil theft. With home heating oil representing a significant household expense, having your tank emptied by thieves could leave you facing a costly bill.
Garda Crime Prevention Advice: Check your oil levels; monitor your tank regularly for any unexplained drops. Lock your oil tank; fit a secure, lockable cap to make theft more difficult. Install security lighting; motion-activated lighting can help deter intruders. Secure access; keep gates locked and restrict access to your oil tank. Consider CCTV; visible cameras can discourage thieves. Fit a tank alarm; an oil-level alarm can alert you to a sudden drop. Look out for your neighbours; be especially vigilant around elderly neighbours and people living alone.
Tipperary – stay vigilant! Whether you’re living in Thurles, Clonmel, Nenagh, Roscrea, Templemore, Cashel, Cahir, Carrick-on-suir, Tipperary Town or any rural part of the county, take a few minutes to check your oil tank security.
Notice something suspicious? Report suspicious vehicles, unfamiliar activity around properties or possible oil theft to Gardaí. Garda confidential:Tel: 1800 666 111. Emergency:Tel: 999 / 112.
Don’t wait until your tank is emptied! Please share this warning with family, friends and neighbours across Tipperary. A simple precaution today could prevent an expensive theft tomorrow.
A new €3.9 million national funding initiative has been launched to support innovative cybersecurity research, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen Ireland’s ability to respond to emerging digital threats.
The Research Ireland-Cyber Security Innovation Challenge 2026 was announced by Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Ms Catherine Ardagh TD, in partnership with Research Ireland and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The programme aims to bring together researchers, industry specialists and public sector organisations to develop practical solutions to some of Ireland’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.
With cyberattacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and disruptive, the initiative represents a significant investment in strengthening national security, safeguarding businesses and protecting essential public services. The funding programme will concentrate on five priority areas: improving national cyber threat detection and response capabilities, supporting Ireland’s transition to post-quantum cryptography, strengthening cybersecurity preparedness among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enhancing the protection of critical national infrastructure, and encouraging disruptive ideas capable of transforming cybersecurity practices.
Successful research teams will initially qualify for funding of up to €50,000 during a Concept Phase, allowing them to assess proposed solutions, validate their ideas and establish multidisciplinary partnerships. Projects demonstrating strong potential may subsequently advance to a Seed Phase, receiving up to €200,000 to develop and test their solutions further. The programme will culminate in a competitive Prize Phase, with one winning team eligible for a €1 million award to support advanced development and move its innovation closer to practical deployment.
Minister Ms Ardagh emphasised the importance of investing in research and innovation to protect Ireland’s economy, national security and increasingly digital society. The initiative is intended to encourage collaboration across academic, industrial and government sectors, while developing solutions capable of addressing real-world threats. The NCSC has identified the growing complexity and frequency of cyber incidents as major challenges requiring stronger detection, prevention, response and recovery capabilities. Particular attention will be given to preparing Ireland for emerging technological risks, including advances in quantum computing that could undermine existing encryption systems.
Research Ireland has also highlighted the value of interdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement and practical innovation in delivering lasting improvements to national cyber resilience. Beyond strengthening Ireland’s cybersecurity capabilities, the programme is expected to encourage research collaboration, support technological advancement and create opportunities for innovative solutions benefiting businesses, public institutions and wider society.
Government increases justice funding by €400 million, with major investment in Garda recruitment, prison expansion, legal aid, youth justice and domestic violence services.
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Mr Jim O’Callaghan, has announced a €5.9 billion allocation for Ireland’s justice sector under Budget 2027, representing an increase of more than €400 million compared with 2026. The investment aims to strengthen frontline policing, improve public safety, expand prison capacity, enhance access to justice and support reforms within Ireland’s immigration system. Current expenditure will increase by €363 million to €5.46 billion, while capital expenditure will rise by €40 million to €430 million.
€2.76 Billion for Gardaí and Crime Prevention An Garda Síochána will receive €2.758 billion, an increase of €167 million, or 6.4%, to strengthen policing across the country. The additional funding will support the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí in 2027, alongside the continued rollout of body-worn cameras, enhanced training, cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities. The Criminal Assets Bureau will also receive an additional €1.9 million, bringing its total allocation to €15.7 million.
€686 Million to Expand Prison Capacity The Irish Prison Service will receive €686 million, an increase of €106 million, or 18%, compared with 2026. The prison capital budget will rise by approximately 40% to €95 million, supporting the Government’s commitment to delivering 1,500 additional prison spaces by 2031. Major projects include expansions at Midlands Prison, Castlerea, Cloverhill and Dóchas. The funding will also support the recruitment of more than 200 prison officers, improvements in training and digital infrastructure, and the introduction of electronic monitoring for certain prisoners. Investment in prisoner care and rehabilitation will increase by 22% to €66 million.
Major Investment in Legal Aid and Domestic Violence Services Budget 2027 includes an additional €14.5 million to begin reforming the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, making legal assistance accessible to more people through expanded financial eligibility. The Legal Aid Board will receive €74.6 million, while funding for Free Legal Advice Centres will increase by 67%. Overall, more than €90 million has been secured for civil legal aid and access-to-justice initiatives, described as a historic investment. Funding to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will also increase by €5.3 million to €84.4 million. The allocation will support Cuan and frontline organisations providing refuge accommodation, protection and assistance to victims and survivors. The Courts Service will receive €228 million to support the administration of justice.
Migration Reforms to Deliver €682 Million in Savings The Government expects to save €682 million in migration-related accommodation expenditure during 2027, representing a 38% reduction in the overall migration budget. This includes €430 million in reduced accommodation costs for people from Ukraine receiving temporary protection and €252 million in savings within the International Protection Accommodation System. The reductions are linked to accommodation reforms, improved financial oversight and implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Additional staffing resources will support faster processing of immigration, visa and international protection applications. Funding for immigration enforcement measures will also increase by €2 million, or 27%.
Increased Support for Youth Justice and Rehabilitation Youth justice initiatives will receive an additional €11.5 million, bringing total funding to almost €50 million. The investment will strengthen Youth Diversion Programmes, helping young people avoid criminal activity through early intervention and community-based support.
Other allocations include an additional €2.9 million for the Probation Service, €3.6 million for the Data Protection Commission and €3.2 million in current funding for Forensic Science Ireland.
Government Prioritises Safer Communities The Government is committed to reducing crime, strengthening public safety, improving access to justice and confronting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Mr Jim O’Callaghan highlighted Garda recruitment, prison expansion, modernised policing and immigration reform as central priorities.
The €5.9 billion investment represents a significant commitment to Ireland’s justice system, with its success depending on effective implementation, frontline recruitment and the timely delivery of planned reforms and infrastructure projects.
A new law raising the minimum age for e-scooter users in Ireland has officially come into effect.
From today 2nd October 2026, anyone under the age of 18 is no longer permitted to use an e-scooter in a public place. The minimum age had previously been 16.
The change was introduced by Minister for Transport Mr Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Mr Seán Canney as part of a series of measures aimed at improving safety for e-scooter users and other road users.
According to the Road Safety Authority, e-scooters became legal on Irish public roads in May 2024, subject to a range of conditions. The latest age restriction means 16 and 17 year-olds who were previously allowed to ride compliant e-scooters can no longer do so on public roads or in other public places.
The age change follows new safety requirements introduced on September 4th 2026. E-scooter riders must now wear a securely fastened helmet as well as high- visibility clothing covering at least the front and back of the torso.
Other rules remain in place. E-scooters are limited to a maximum speed of 20km/h, and riders must follow the rules of the road applying to cyclists. They may use cycle lanes, bus lanes and local, regional and national roads, but they are prohibited from footpaths, pedestrianised areas and motorways. Riders are also prohibited from carrying passengers or goods and from holding or using a mobile phone while travelling. E-scooters must have working brakes, lights, reflectors and a bell or other audible warning device.
The new minimum-age requirement represents another significant tightening of Ireland’s rules governing the use of e-scooters.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments