Rank and file Gardaí are expected to hear calls for the government to provide funding to assist them in purchasing homes, reports The Mirror.
The appeal will be made during the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents around 11,200 members of the force – and comes amid claims that officers, like many others across society, are finding it difficult to afford homes.
One motion at the conference, taking place in Killarney, Co Kerry, proposes that the government contribute towards a portion of a house purchase – with the equity eventually being transferred to the Garda after a period of service, reports The Mirror.
The motion from the GRA’s central executive committee states: “Conference calls on the Government to introduce an enhanced scheme whereby members of An Garda Síochána who are essential frontline workers are assisted by the State in purchasing a home; such a scheme would see the State provide a percentage of the purchase price (to be determined on a geographical and economic basis) and up on completion of a prescribed and agreed term of service, the State’s equity in the property is surrendered/transferred to the member,” reports The Mirror.
The three-day conference begins today, but it will be missing two high-profile attendees – the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice.
Those roles traditionally feature at the event, but for the second consecutive year, the GRA has refused to invite Commissioner Drew Harris. That decision follows a near-unanimous vote of no confidence in him in late 2023, reports The Mirror.
Upon learning that Commissioner Harris had not been invited, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan also decided not to attend – echoing the actions of former minister Helen McEntee last year.
Besides the motion seeking housing support, the conference will debate another 16 motions – including proposals for more forensic collision investigators and a review of Garda suspension policies, reports The Mirror.
Delegates from Clare have tabled a motion calling for all frontline officers to be trained in the use of pepper spray canisters with greater range and larger capacity. They are also requesting that the Mark Nine incapacitate spray canisters be available in every frontline Garda vehicle.
The central executive committee further proposes that all trainee Gardaí at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, receive public order training, reports The Mirror.
Officers representing Dublin Metropolitan east division are calling for a significant increase in night shift allowances for any Garda working between 8pm and 8am. The central executive committee also wants improved training for Gardaí involved in pursuits.
A new Spontaneous Pursuits procedure was introduced last year, clarifying that Gardaí may drive against the flow of traffic if it is deemed safe during a chase, reports The Mirror.
The guidelines were updated amid concerns that criminals are deliberately driving on the wrong side of the road to force Gardaí to abandon pursuits.
However, sources have said that many pursuits are still being called off because officers have not yet received the necessary training to safely manage such chases, reports The Mirror.
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