Garda Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 November 2014

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Questions (115)

Dara Calleary

Question:

115. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied with the process used by the Public Appointments Service recently to recruit new members to An Garda Síochána; if an online aptitude test was overly relied on resulting in a large numbers of suitable candidates being eliminated; if more candidates should have been interviewed as part of this process; her views on whether in the initial stages due recognition was given to any satisfactory service in the Garda Reserve by applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42393/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that the competition for recruitment to An Garda Síochána was run by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and as soon as it is to hand I will pass it on to the Deputy.

With regard to members of the Garda Reserve, it is important that all persons wishing to join the full time force undergo the same competitive selection and recruitment process. The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 provides that in a competition for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, the Public Appointments Service shall take into account "any satisfactory service by the person as a reserve member of the Garda Síochána". This provision was introduced in order to acknowledge the beneficial experience and skills gained by a Reserve member and to allow them the opportunity to highlight that experience and skill at any stage of the selection process.