Crime conference held in Kildare hears that 800 new Garda recruits are needed every year

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has been advised that there are a minimum of 800 new Garda recruits needed every year to cope with the rocketing levels of crime throughout the country.

Noel Cunningham, who is the head of the Association of Garda Superintendents, was speaking at the annual AGS conference in Naas yesterday when he urged Minister Fitzgerald to allow more Gardaí to be trained so they can cope with the rise in crime.

There are currently 550 to 600 Gardaí coming through each year, but there is a need for a further 200 due to annual resignations, retirements and promotions according to Cunningham.

"We absolutely welcome the minister's new policy on recruitment. But more members need to be going through Templemore annually," he said.

"If we look at just attrition rates, in relation to retirements, in relation to promotions, etc. you need 700 to 800 at least going through every year, just to match that alone."

Kildare is one of the worst affected counties in the country by various forms of rural crime, but there were only five recruits added to the ranks in Kildare from the last batch that passed through Templemore.