The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, yesterday announced a recruitment competition for 500 Garda trainees. The recruitment drive, announced two years ago, is expected to bring the force to 11,800 by the end of 2001 and to 12,000 by the end of 2002.
Mr O'Donoghue said the increase in Garda personnel underlined the Government's commitment to fight crime.
Details of the recruitment competition will be advertised within the next two weeks.