WATCH: Questions raised over future of Templemore Garda College and Garda training plans

Labour TD Alan Kelly has raised concerns about the future of the Garda College Templemore, warning that any move to shift training away from the Tipperary facility would have serious consequences for the local area.

Deputy Kelly said he questioned the Minister for Justice about the issue after the Government’s Programme for Government indicated that some elements of Garda training currently carried out in Templemore could be relocated.

READ NEXT: REVIEW: Local drama group deliver memorable ensemble performance in Dancing at Lughnasa

“I questioned the Minister for Justice in the Dail in relation to the future of Templemore Garda College. This is because the Government in their Programme for Government said they were looking at moving some of the current training out of Templemore. This would be disastrous for the Templemore area.

The Government set up a team to look at this and other training issues and that report set up yet another group that is to report by this June on whether some Garda training that currently takes place in Templemore will be now done elsewhere.

This is not just training of new Gardai but also professional training of Gardai, retraining courses, continuous development and specialist training.

These all currently take place in Templemore and I will fight to make sure that this stays the case. As the only opposition TD that represents Templemore I will keep raising this issue.”

The comments follow remarks from the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, who has indicated he is open to the possibility that some training functions could be delivered in other locations.

Deputy Kelly said the Minister has pointed to ongoing investment in Templemore as evidence that it will remain the “primary” training centre for the force, but warned that such wording leaves room for parts of the current programme to be moved elsewhere.

“The Fianna Fáil Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has unfortunately said he is open to having training that currently takes place in Templemore moved to other locations.

This is unacceptable. He keeps saying that the current investment in Templemore shows that it will remain the ‘primary’ location for training.

That worries me as ‘primary’ doesn’t mean that some of the current training will be moved out. The new report on this issue that is due to be presented to the Minister in June could have a dramatic impact on the future of the college.”

A further report on Garda training arrangements is due to be presented to the Minister in June. Deputy Kelly said the findings could have significant implications for the long term role of the Templemore campus.

Ahead of that report, he said he has urged the Minister to consider expanding the college on lands already owned by the State at Dromard in Clonmore.

“That’s why in advance of any such report I have encouraged the Minister to once and for all look at using the lands in Dromard, Clonmore that were bought two decades ago for €5.5 million, to expand the Garda College.

I’m glad to say Minister O’Callaghan has seen sense and has now said in response to my request that he will look at using these lands.”

READ MORE: Outcry in Tipperary over plans for large industrial scale biogas plant near rural homes