Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 December 2015
97. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a member of An Garda Síochána can, on retirement, go directly into the Garda Síochána Reserve force without any formalities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44330/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter.
Applications to become a members of the Garda Reserve can currently be made through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) website. PAS process applications on behalf of An Garda Síochána, and admission to become a Reserve member is subject to the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006. The Regulations provide that a former member, who has on retirement received an "exemplary", "very good" or "good discharge" is required to meet the trainee reserve Garda medical and age requirements. However, they are deemed to meet the eligibility requirements for trainee reserve Garda regarding good character, nationality and residency and are also exempt from the educational requirements. Former Garda members are required to complete only phase 1 of 5 of the required training for Garda Reserves.
