Second Garda training college needed in Dublin to meet policing needs – Currie

A second Garda training college to strengthen Garda recruitment and align training with modern policing challenges should be established in Blanchardstown, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Raising the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil, Deputy Emer Currie said the Government can build on positive progress towards 15,000 Garda members by the end of this year by expanding training capacity, increasing accessibility, and leveraging the skills and education available through the technological university network.

“The demands on policing today are more complex than ever. Ireland’s population is growing rapidly and becoming more diverse. The nature of society, of crime and the communities we live in has changed utterly and the policing needs of the country have transformed as our country itself has transformed.

“Templemore serves the State exceptionally well, and I hope the Garda College has a long future as the primary Garda training college, but we need to look at how we can increase capacity for training.”

Deputy Currie said there is now a strong case for a second Garda training college to be based in Dublin, linked closely with technological universities.

“The Programme for Government says we will consider the establishment of a second Garda training college and consider allowing Garda trainees to undergo part of their training course in regionally based Universities or Technological Universities.

“Blanchardstown is a strong candidate as one of the fastest-growing population centres in the country, with major infrastructure; including a university campus, transport links, the National Sports Campus, as well as an expanding tech corridor.

“It would offer recruitment advantages and integration opportunities with Technological University Dublin for Garda education in areas like digital capability, cyber security, and emerging tech.”

Deputy Currie also pointed to ongoing policing pressures in Dublin West.

“The K District is one of the busiest policing districts in the country. Blanchardstown has just one Garda station serving more than 100,000 people.

“Over 8,300 homes have been built in Dublin 15 since 2012, with entirely new communities developed, but no new Garda station has opened.

“Locating a new Garda College in Blanchardstown would send a signal that the policing challenges facing Dublin, and in particular the communities around the M50 belt, are being taken seriously,” concluded Deputy Currie.