Sir, – I was rather bemused when I heard of the competition for Garda recruits, up to the age of 50 years, and how those at the upper age limit will be used regarding front-line policing (News, January 10th).
The training aspect is two years, with fitness levels having to be adjusted to suit those entering at the upper age limit, which a lot of the younger recruits could see as unfair or discriminatory.
Given the recent controversy over beep tests and other forms of fitness training, how will the Garda college manage this anomaly?
Then there is the payment for students in Templemore who will receive €309 per week, which, if I may say, is not very enticing for someone at the upper age limit with a mortgage and a family.
Added to that there is the thorny issue regarding retirement where post-1995 Garda members must sign on to obtain part of their pensions, while excluding them from going back to work because of the penalty clause within those pension entitlements.
They are excluded from accessing their full pension until age 66 and must sign on jobseekers’ benefit.
Gardaí joining post-2013 will have mediocre pensions, and minuscule gratuities leave them worse off than when they were actually serving, showing a system in total disarray.
While the Labour Court found that the upper age limit of 35 was discriminatory, it did not look at the practicalities of putting someone at the upper age limit on the beat in a busy city centre or for a limited period of service.
What benefit will it be to have a large swathe of 50-year-olds who will serve a maximum of 10 years with two years of that on probation? What accrued benefits or pension will they be able to avail of given my previous?
This is another stop-gap measure by Government and Garda authorities that ignores the bigger problem, which is recruitment and front-line Garda retention. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTY GALLIGAN,
(Retired Garda sergeant),
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.