asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that many of the candidates who were qualified at the last Garda examination have been notified that they will not be called for training, and that many of these men will be disqualified under the age limit from sitting for future examinations; and, if so, if he will arrange that such candidates will be called for training as vacancies occur without undergoing further examination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Candidates for Garda.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of notices sent to candidates, who underwent the recent examination for recruitment to the Garda Síochána, informing them that the educational certificates issued by the Civil Service Commissioners would become invalid in February, 1957, and that they would not be eligible for appointment to the force after that date unless they passed a further entrance examination; and if he will consider making arrangements for the extension of the final date from February, 1957, to February, 1958.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to answer Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The Garda Síochána (Appointments) Regulations, 1945, prescribe that no person shall be appointed to the force unless he is certified by the Civil Service Commissioners to have passed a qualifying educational examination but they also prescribe that the commissioner shall not appoint or enrol any person as a member of the force by virtue of such certificate after the expiration of a period of 18 months from the date of the certificate.
Following the last examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners in June, 1955, the number of candidates certified was 454. As the intake of recruits for the year 1956-57 will be only 150 it was considered desirable to notify candidates, who were unlikely to be enrolled before the expiration of a period of 18 months from the date they were certified, as to their position. Those who will not be recruited during the year and who will be within the prescribed age limits in December, 1956, will be able to compete at an examination to be held in that month should they so wish. It is understood that all but nine of the candidates who received notices will be eligible to compete again in December next.
I do not think it desirable to alter the existing regulations. I consider it would be better to hold another examination and thus to give a chance of competing to other young men as they reach the age for joining the force.
Is the Minister aware that the position is that a year, or so, ago when the examination was held a number of candidates sat for the examination? They understood then that about 250 or 300 candidates would be called during the present year. On the strength of that, they have been waiting for a full year in the hope that they would be called and now the Government, due to Government policy, have decided that instead of taking 250 they will take only 160. Is the Minister satisfied that justice has been done to these young boys who have been left waiting for the last 12 months and are told at the last minute that they are thrown on the scrapheap? I think the matter should be reconsidered and they should at least be given a chance to enter the Garda without having to undergo a further examination.
The Garda Síochána is up to its full strength. I expect only 150 resignations during 1956. Therefore, I cannot make room for 200 or 300 new members. There will be only nine in December, 1956, ineligible to compete.
My point is that these men, when they did the examination, were given to understand——
It appeared in the Press.
I am sure they were never given such a guarantee. Those who were recruited were taken in the order of merit certified by the Civil Service Commissioners. No man is going to jump the queue to get in.
I am not questioning that. They did understand there would be 150.
Would the Minister consider not requiring these candidates to undergo the educational tests again?
I have no power. It is a Civil Service regulation.
Could the Minister not make representations either direct to the Civil Service Commissioners or the Garda authorities on the point that the educational test should stand for 12 months, whatever about the physical test? If a man has deteriorated physically one could understand a new test being applied, but surely the educational test ought to be regarded as good enough for 12 months.
The educational test stands for 18 months.