The Group was established in January 2026 by  justice minister Jim O’Callaghan to examine the delivery of training in An Garda Síochána and to make recommendations to enable it to meet future needs over the next decade. The Review Group was tasked with examining current capabilities and future requirements for An Garda Síochána, including if a second Garda training college is required.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I want to thank the members of the Training Review Group, and in particular Mr Jim Breslin who chaired the Group, for their commitment and work in compiling this report.

“I am extremely pleased with the progress being made on recruitment in An Garda Síochána as record numbers are now entering and attesting from the Garda College in Templemore.

“Looking forward, we need to ensure that An Garda Síochána can build on this progress by strengthening workforce planning to align training with future policing needs. I established the Review Group to examine all options and to make recommendations, including on whether there is a need for a second Garda training college outside Templemore. The Group did not identify a need for a second Garda college.”

Templemore has been the main Garda Training College since 1964, and the Training Review Group recommends that Templemore remains the primary Garda training facility for new recruits. Investment and ongoing development in facilities at Templemore will ensure the Garda College will soon accommodate 1,000 new training recruits every year.

Three distinct faculties are currently in operation within the Templemore campus:

• Foundation training for new Garda recruits
• Leadership, management & professional development
• Crime, specialist & operational skills.

The Group recommends that An Garda Síochána formalises and enhances its relationships within regionally based universities or Technological Universities, to allow the organisation to continue to offer excellence in professional development. By leveraging external academic expertise, An Garda Síochána can access specialised knowledge, research, and accredited programmes that it may not be feasible to develop solely through its own resources. This will strengthen the organisation’s capacity to meet evolving training and professional development needs.

Mr O’Callaghan continued: “I am committed to ensuring that Templemore remains the primary Garda training college.

“I welcome progress on the development of more professional and formalised relationships with regionally based universities and technological universities which will benefit all Garda personnel and the organisation as a whole into the future. I will discuss the Group’s recommendations with the Garda Commissioner.”