Justice Minister hopeful Templemore expansion will deliver 1,000 new Garda recruits next year

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said he is hopeful the Government can deliver on its Budget commitment to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí next year. The minister believes this can be achieved by increasing the capacity of the Garda Training College in Templemore.

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The training college in north Tipperary has long been central to the State’s recruitment and training of Garda members. However, former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has previously confirmed that the facility can currently accommodate around 800 recruits each year.

In Budget 2026, the Government announced a €77 million package to support the recruitment of 1,000 new trainees, following a failure to meet the same target last year.

Minister O’Callaghan said the additional funding will enable the college to expand its intake and improve its facilities to meet future recruitment needs.

“It does also mention in that report that the target of achieving 5,000 new members in the force during the five years of the government is achievable. Where we are at present is we can take in approximately 800 to 900 in Templemore in terms of each intake,” O'Callaghan said.

The minister added that part of the investment will go towards maintaining and upgrading the Templemore campus. “There’s an extra 15 million euro that’s being provided for improvements and upkeep,” he said.

The expanded funding is intended to help the college manage larger classes and ensure the infrastructure can support the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Garda numbers nationwide.

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