Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
352. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of applicants in the recruitment process to An Garda Síochána when the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7672/20]
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. As Minister, I have no direct involvement in the matter.
I am informed by Garda authorities that when the Covid-19 pandemic began to impact on Ireland and public health restrictions were put in place, 1,031 applicants had been approved by PAS and were progressing through latter stages of the Garda Trainee selection process in which candidates are vetted, complete a Physical Competency Test (PCT) and a medical examination.
As the Deputy will appreciate, applicants must be successful at all elements of this process in order to be deemed suitable and eligible to be recruited as a Garda trainee.
It should also be noted that subject to final approval by An Garda Síochána, successful applicants from earlier campaigns (where the recruitment panels arising from those campaigns are not yet exhausted) are considered first for intakes into the Garda College, in accordance with the candidate's place on the Order of Merit.
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. 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 PCT or withdraw from the competition.
