Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 7

Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.

Seán Haughey

Question:

316 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the selection criteria used to recruit new gardaí and, in particular, the need for leaving certificate Irish and comparison in this regard with the Army and Naval Service; the need for academic qualifications generally having regard to real life work experience; the use of the Civil Service Commission in the recruitment process as opposed to the Garda itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12941/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The selection criteria for the recruitment of Garda trainees are prescribed by regulation and are reviewed on an ongoing basis by my Department.

With regard to the requirement for leaving certificate Irish, this element of the minimum educational qualifications was last reviewed and revised in 1997 following a significant restructuring of the leaving certificate programme and the introduction of Irish at foundation level for leaving certificate students. There are no plans to abolish Irish or make it an optional requirement for Garda recruitment. Members of the Garda Síochána are required to provide a broad and increasing range of services to all sections of society and may be called upon at any time to communicate with the public in Irish, either orally or in writing.

The minimum educational qualifications are not the only prerequisite for entry to the Garda college. Applicants must be successful in a competition, comprising written tests and a competitive interview, conducted by the Civil Service Commission on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. These selection procedures are underpinned by a professional job analysis led by consultants with expertise in occupational psychology and completed in 1997 to ensure that the procedures are job-related and assess candidates for those competencies required for effective performance in the job of garda.

I regard both the minimum educational requirements and the Civil Service Commission selection procedures as being important in the overall recruitment process.

The Civil Service Commission is an independent statutory agency with proven expertise in recruitment selection. The SMI report of the steering group on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána published in late December 1997 examined human resource management, including recruitment, in An Garda Síochána and recommended that the role of the Civil Service Commission in garda recruitment remain unchanged.