Vol. 548 No. 5
369 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the imposition of the strict age limit is unduly restrictive if not discriminatory for applicants to the Garda Síochána; if he will ensure some discretion on the age bar similar to the approach now adopted towards the issue of a height requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5273/02]
The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988, as amended, govern entry to the Garda Síochána and provide that applicants generally must be at least 18 and under 26 years on the first day of the month that the competition is advertised – the regulations provide for some extension to the upper age limit for applicants with certain specified service in the Defence Forces. There are no plans at present to change these requirements.
Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act, 1998 provides, inter alia, that those parts of the Act relating to discrimination on the age ground do not apply to employment in the Garda Síochána and a number of other bodies.
