Vol. 499 No. 5
19 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to change the criteria for admission into the Garda training college in view of the large number of rejected candidates following recent interviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2992/99]
The written and interview phases of Garda recruitment competitions are conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which is an independent body, on behalf of the Garda Síochána.
These elements of the selection process for Garda recruitment were reviewed prior to the 1997 competition using the services of consultants with expertise in occupational psychology. The purpose of the review was to identify, in line with current best practice in recruitment, the key qualities and attributes required for effective performance in the job of Garda and to devise new selection procedures for use by the CSC to test candidates for these qualities. Following the review, which was overseen by the Garda authorities, the CSC and my Department, changes were made in the CSC selection procedures.
I am satisfied that these are based on up-to-date techniques of selection and, most importantly, are job-related. My concern is that the CSC selection procedures identify those candidates most likely to perform effectively in the important job of Garda and there are no plans, at present, for changes in these procedures.
