Garda Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (760, 761, 762, 763)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

760. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the cut-off point for consideration of new Garda recruits is 2,000 candidates. [13355/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

761. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if membership of the Garda Reserve will provide candidates just outside the cut-off point any special consideration should new recruiting begin in the future. [13356/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

762. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to have any future large scale recruitment drives for the Gardaí after the current 300. [13357/14]

Ciara Conway

Question:

763. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the selection criteria used to determine the progression of candidates from phase two to three of the most recent Garda recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13360/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 760 to 763, inclusive, together.

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) is managing the recruitment process for the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct involvement in the matter. I have, however, been informed that some 25,000 applications were received for the current competition. It is understood that around 18,000 candidates completed stage 1 tests of which less than 13,000 reached a satisfactory standard. These 13,000 candidates were placed in three Bands in order of merit. All candidates have been informed by PAS of the results of these tests and of their position in each Band.

The top 5,000 candidates were placed in Band 1. These were then called to the next stages of the competition which involve further online unsupervised assessment tests and ultimately supervised tests, interviews, medical examinations and security checks. All these tests are designed to identify candidates who are suitable to be a Garda trainee. Candidates who are successful through all stages will be placed on a panel for entry into training in the Garda College. A candidate who fails any stage of the process will be eliminated from the competition and will not be allowed re-enter.

The 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.

My objective is to maintain Garda strength at 13,000 and the number of trainees to be recruited will be determined taking that objective into account along with the rate of departures from the force over the coming years. It is hoped to have 300 recruits entering training in Templemore in 2014.