Kelly’s concern for Garda College

Labour TD, Alan Kelly, has described as “disappointing” news that the Government has no plans to develop lands in Dromard, Clonmore, for the Garda College that were bought at a cost of €5.5 million over two decades ago.

Deputy Kelly said: “These lands were bought with a view to expanding the college and be used for garda driver training, firearms training and continuous development of gardaí as well as other training activities. Given that we know how much we need to expand the college to meet recruitment and the continuous development of garda training in modern times, I think this decision is worrying and shows a lack of long term planning.

“Furthermore, the Minister for Justice has confirmed to me that the Garda Training Review Group that he set up to look at the future of garda training and in particular the Garda College has met six times and will be concluding their work by the summer when they will make recommendations to the minister and the Government. This review has the potential to be seismic for the Garda College and Templemore and surrounds who are so dependent on it. I’ll be watching this report closely to see if this Government intends to take any current training away from the college.

“The commitment in the Programme for Government to look at all this has been hovering over Templemore since the beginning of this Government.”

Deputy Kelly added that he will fight any plans the Government has to take anything away from the college that’s already there.