Kehoe welcomes heavy investment in Justice including commitment for new Wexford Garda HQ

Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe TD, is pleased that there will be heavy investment in the area of Justice specifically recruitment of Gardaí, the purchase of Garda vehicles and a commitment to the of the new Garda divisional Headquarters in Wexford.  

Minister Kehoe said;  

“I’m very pleased with the investment in Justice and I have been assured by the Department that the construction of a new Garda Divisional Headquarters in Wexford station will begin early next year. 

“The Justice budget will also include 300 additional Garda recruits and investment in 68% increase in capital spending in 2015, including €10 million for 400 new Garda vehicles and the construction. All of these measures are designed to give strength to An Garda Siochana and tackle the ongoing problem of rural crime”.  

Speaking on the budget as a whole, Minister Kehoe said;  

“I believe the Budget announced today is designed to pass on the benefits of our economic recovery to the people without returning to boom and bust politics.  

 “Our aim is to put the economy on a secure foundation for the future and avoid the constant boom and bust mistakes of the past. Our reduction of the top rate of income tax from 41% to 40% will support job creation by reforming the tax system and increasing in the standard rate band (of €1,000) to €33,800 above which the 40% rate of tax applies a saving of €200 p.a. 

“We will be increasing the entry point at which USC is paid to €12,012 and this will exempt 80,000 low earners. And cuts in the lower USC rates and bands to help low earners and make work pay. The €5 increase in child benefit to help with child-care costs and re-entry to the workplace”.