Donegal JPC to write to Minister for Justice in call to incentivise retiring gardai

A Donegal County Councillor has asked the Joint Policing Committee to write to the Minister for Justice requesting special incentives be offered to Gardai who are considering retiring early.

Under the current scheme, Gardai who joined the force before 1995 and have 30 years service can retire from the age of 50 with a Garda pension and can also take up a new job.

But County Councillor Michael McBride believes Minister Helen McEntee should come up with incentives to entice more mature Gardai to remain within their roles for at least another five years.

He said it will be almost impossible to build up numbers within the force if so many members are retiring when they reach this age with so much to still offer.

"I cannot understand why there are not special incentives to ask people who are retiring to serve for another five years because many will not be even 60.

"They could fulfil many roles including liaison officers.

"We are currently losing all that experience and all that know-how. Even if this is our last act as a Joint Policing Committee I think we should write to the Minister and ask her to consider putting a special package in place for these members."

Garda Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan agreed that there is a huge loss of knowledge with the retirement of experienced Gardai but referred to the 1995 retirement agreement within the force.

Chairperson of the JPC, Councillor Gerry McMonagle agreed that the committee should write to the Minister putting the request to her office.