Vol. 486 No. 1
766 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the numbers of garda recruits to be trained over the next period; if it is his intention that 2,000 extra gardaí will be trained; and if this will require the holding of further examinations by the Civil Service Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1540/98]
The programme for Government includes a commitment to increase Garda numbers to bring the strength of the force to 12,000. This will require the recruitment of an estimated 2,200 gardaí. I propose to achieve this over a period of five years. The intake of additional recruits to meet this target commenced earlier this week and it is intended to recruit a total of 550 trainees during 1998.
The written tests for the 1997 Garda recruitment competition took place in September last and interviewing of candidates who were successful in those written tests is ongoing. The need for a further recruitment competition or competitions to meet the commitment in the Programme for Government will be kept under review in my Department and any proposals in this regard will be a matter for consideration by the Government in due course.
