Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
232. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if new recruits in relation to Garda recruitment are still being drawn from those who applied in 2016; when persons that applied in 2017 and that have completed all stages in the process will be contacted with a formal offer of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17552/19]
View answerRecruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. The Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Trainees with the final stages of the recruitment process in which candidates are vetted, complete a physical competency test and a medical examination, are managed by the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct involvement in the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware a programme of accelerated recruitment to An Garda Síochána is on-going with a view to reaching 15,000 Gardaí as part of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 by 2021.
This is an ambitious programme of recruitment and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. To service this requirement An Garda Siochána recently opened a new recruitment drive and it is anticipated that successful applicants from this campaign may enter the Garda college from approximately mid 2020. There is no set time frame for offers to applicants as this is dependent on their files being fully completed and the intake dates into the Garda College.
I am informed by An Garda Siochána that there are a number of applicants from previous recruitment campaigns who are still being processed. All applicants remain on the panel until such time as they are offered a place in the Garda College, with the exception of those who are deemed unsuitable, fail the Medical or Physical Competence Test (PCT) or withdraw from the competition. Subject to final approval by An Garda Siochána, successful applicants from these campaigns are considered first for intakes into the Garda College, in accordance with the candidate's place on the Order of Merit.
