I can inform the Deputy that recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) are managing this recruitment process on behalf of the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct involvement in the matter. The first stages of the recruitment process - online assessments and tests - have now been completed and candidates who have qualified through these have been placed in order of merit into three bands. I understand that of the 25,000 applications received, around 18,000 candidates completed stage 1 tests. Of these, less than 13,000 reached a satisfactory standard in the tests and were placed in these three bands.
The Admission and Appointment Regulations provide that, as part of the competitive selection process organised by the Public Appointments Service for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, "due recognition to any satisfactory service by the person as a reserve member"shall be given to such candidates. This provision was introduced in order to acknowledge the beneficial experience and skills gained by a reserve member and to allow them, at assessments and at interview, the opportunity to highlight that experience and skill. It is important that all persons wishing to join the full-time force undergo the same competitive selection and recruitment process. In doing so the integrity of the process is maintained at all stages of the competition.
It is not possible to provide figures on the number of applications received from outside Ireland.
