The Garda Commissioner says more than 500 new recruits are needed per year to ensure the force can effectively combat crime.

The Irish Independent reports that Nóirín O'Sullivan has told the government the current intake of 300 recruits into Garda College in Templemore will only keep the strength of the force "at a standstill".

It follows comments by Denis Ferry, the general secretary of the Association of Garda Superintendents, that an intake of between 600 and 700 recruits is need to required to cope with the depleted ranks of frontline gardaí.

300 recruits are currently in Templemore after an embargo on recruitment from 2009 was lifted last September - 250 more will be taken on later in the year.