Vol. 515 No. 6
13 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applicants for, and entrants to, Garda training in each of the past five recruitment programmes; the plans, if any, he has to extend the Garda retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6781/00]
The number of applicants and successful candidates who commenced training in the last five recruitment programmes is set out in the following tabular statement:
|
Year |
Applied |
Commenced Training |
|
1988 |
11,701 |
1,017 |
|
1991 |
13,367 |
1,004 |
|
1994 |
15,202 |
1,466 |
|
1997 |
11,725 |
1,100 |
|
1998 |
6,400 |
121(to date) |
|
1999 |
5,287 |
Interviews of candidates for the 1999 competition will commence in the next month or two. As the House will be aware I have overseen one of the most significant, sustained recruitment campaigns by the Garda in recent times to ensure the Government's target of a total Garda strength of 12,000 by 2002 will be reached. We are on target to meet this objective. The strength of the force at the beginning of this year has already exceeded 11,400, which is the highest level in more than a decade.
The matter of extending the retirement age of gardaí is not under consideration.
(Mayo): Is the Minister concerned that there has been a dramatic decline in the number of people applying for Garda training? The number of applicants in 1992 was 15,000 but it fell to 6,000 in 1998 and 5,000 in 1999. Does he accept that policing is becoming less attractive for a number of reasons, particularly a lack of promotional opportunities? Has any consideration been given to extending the Garda retirement age given that the number applying for training has dwindled to one third of the figure seven years ago?
Recruitment competitions were held approximately every three years but now they are held annually and this has meant there has been no opportunity for a reservoir of candidates to build up. The buoyant labour market has affected the number of candidates. Nevertheless, we have not run into any major difficulty in obtaining sufficient applicants to meet our requirements and there has been no fall in the standard of applicants. The Government approved the recruitment of 550 trainees in 1999 and 500 in 2000 to achieve its target of a force of 12,000 by 2002. The 1999 target has been met and no particular difficulties are envisaged for this year. The need for further competition to reach this target is kept under review.
With regard to the issue of retirement age, wastage and recruitment requirements of the force are monitored, but there are no proposals to extend the retirement age. We have had no difficulties in finding suitable applicants to maintain and significantly increase the size of the force to date. The Deputy is correct in stating there has been a fall in the number of applicants because the labour market is buoyant and different opportunities are available to young people. It is heartening that the children of senior members of the force recently graduated, which indicates that there is still a vocation among some families for the Garda life. That is wonderful.
