Written Answers Nos. 201-220
201. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if predictive grades will have an impact on the points reduction offered to students that are eligible for the higher education access route. [10355/20]
View answerThe Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is an alternative admissions scheme to tertiary education, offering places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantages backgrounds. The scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA), and applications to the scheme are through the CAO.
Whilst criteria for applications and the processes for application itself are centralised, admissions under the HEAR scheme are regulated by the institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places it reserves and the allocation of those places.
Calculated Grades will have the same status as Leaving Certificates awarded to students in previous years and will be used as a basis for entry into tertiary education in 2020 for all candidates, including access to the HEAR scheme as usual.
203. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that applied for the July provision in 2019 and to date in 2020 that were unable to source a tutor; the number of home tutor teachers and SNAs that volunteered to take part in 2019; the number that have volunteered to take part in 2020 in the programme and are available for home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10362/20]
View answerIn 2019, 10,563 children availed of July Provision with the delivery of the school and home based programmes involving approximately 5,000 Home Tutors, 640 school teachers and 1,454 SNAs.
573 eligible schools were invited to participate in the 2019 Programme. Participation in the scheme, by the school is voluntary and subject to the availability of suitably qualified personnel in July. It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available to it and taking into account the health and safety of the children, whether or not it will participate in the programme in any given year. Of the 573 eligible schools invited in 2019, 232 schools opted to participate in the Programme.
Where an eligible school did not participating in the school based programme, it was open to parents to apply for the home based July Provision Grant Scheme.
My Department does not hold information on the number of Parents that could not find tutors in 2019.
The application process for the 2020 summer education programme has not yet commenced.
My Department is planning to provide a summer education programme for children with significant special educational needs as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.
It is intended that this programme will be similar to the July Provision of previous years.
The Summer Education Programme will take place for children with significant special educational needs enrolled in special schools, special classes and mainstream classes.
The programme will be reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.
Planning is under way and an announcement will be made shortly.
204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision will be reviewed on a supplementary panel application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10402/20]
View answerThe core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies. Thereafter, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill permanent vacancies from supplementary panels comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers.
The arrangements for panel access for fixed term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers for the 2020/21 school year are set out in Department Circular 0064/2019.
The application of the teacher concerned has been updated since her contact with the Department and she has been informed of her eligibility for the Supplementary Panel 2020/21.
205. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the need to maintain 2019/2020 teacher allocations will be addressed; and if teacher allocations will be increased for the 2020/2021 school year in view of additional demands placed on schools as a result of Covid-19 stay safe measures. [10429/20]
View answerBudget 2020 has provided for a budget of more than €11 billion for the Department of Education and Skills in 2020. This is the highest ever allocation to the sector and an increase of nearly €2 billion since 2016.
The number of teachers has increased from 63,556 in 2015/16 to almost 70,900 in 2019/20, an increase of over 7,300 teaching posts.
Teacher numbers at primary level have increased by almost 3,500 when comparing the 2015/16 school year with the current school year and this has led to a steady improvement in the pupil teacher ratio and average class size statistics during this period.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15.2:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2018/19 school year. Average class sizes at primary level improved from 24.9 to 24.3 in the same period. Corresponding statistics from post primary level show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 13.8:1 to 13:1 during the same period.
The annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. For the current school year, it operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1) which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level. At post-primary level teachers are allocated at a ratio of 19:1 in the Free Education System and 23:1 to schools in the fee-charging sector.
The National Return to Work Safely Protocol will inform discussions with all education partners so that appropriate guidance for schools is developed and arrangements put in place in time for the new school year.
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if adequate provision is being made in primary and second-level schools throughout County Kildare to accommodate the needs of children that are living in the area or that have moved permanently to the area; the degree to which such accommodation needs have been identified; the proposals for resolution including special needs accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10440/20]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in an area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential developments in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022) including the following new schools to serve the area referred to by the Deputy:
- a new 8-classroom primary school established in 2019 to serve the Leixlip school planning area;
- a new 8-classroom primary school established in 2019 to serve the Maynooth school planning area;
- a new 8-classroom primary school to be established in 2021 to serve the Naas school planning area; and
- a new post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Kilcock school planning area to be located in Enfield.
This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country. In addition, a new gaelcholáiste will be established in 2020 in Maynooth.
The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website. In the case of all new schools, it is general practice to include a Special Education Needs Base (SEN Base) in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. The Department of Education and Skills works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
208. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of financial support provided from March to May 2020 to ensure children in the direct provision system have access to information technology equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic to enable them to keep up-to-date with schoolwork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10473/20]
View answerMy Department is working closely with the Department of Justice and Equality International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) to ensure that school pupils who reside in accommodation centres for International Protection applicants are identified and supported. A communication pathway for schools, parents and centre managers in relation to education issues has been put in place by IPAS. Tusla Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) are assisting children and families who may need support, liaising with schools and sourcing additional services/resources where necessary. With regard to Wi Fi, all accommodation centres, which are under contract to the Department of Justice and Equality, are contractually obliged to have Wi-Fi available to residents. An examination of the level of Wi Fi access in these centres is currently being carried out by the International Protection Procurement Service.
Since the announcement that schools would close, schools have been asked to put in place arrangements to continue the delivery of education to students. A Continuity of Learning Group has been established within my Department and a series of guidance documents have been developed for schools on how they can effectively support and engage with their students in providing programmes of continued learning and address challenges at this time. The guidance also includes advice on supporting pupils at risk of educational disadvantage and children with special needs. All schools and teachers have been asked to communicate regularly and engage with students to ensure that there is continuity in their learning and to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so.
Schools have also been asked to be conscious of students who may not have access to online facilities or technology and to adapt approaches to ensure that these pupils’ ability to participate in learning is not compromised. Many schools have introduced a range of strategies and measures to ensure that the needs of these pupils are catered for, including pupils who have limited access to technology or whose parents are not in a position to support their learning.
In addition, €50m in ICT funding for schools has been announced. Along with the annual €40m annual grant available to eligible schools to buy equipment for use by students and teachers in developing digital technology approaches to teaching and learning, a further €10m in the form of top-up funding was made available to all primary and post-primary schools to assist schools further in the purchase of devices for students and teachers to support continuity of learning during the current school closures due to COVID-19. DEIS schools have been allocated an additional 10% relative to non-DEIS schools to support their students to engage with online learning and educational resources.
Schools are being asked to use this funding to support the continuity of teaching and learning during this period and to address situations where students are disadvantaged in their engagement with the schools remote teaching and learning due to lack of access to digital devices. The devices will remain the property of the schools and loaned to the student to assist them in their studies.
My Department has recently published a guidance document for parents and guardians of children of school going age. This document has been translated into a number of languages so that it can be understood by residents who are residing in IPAS accommodation centres. A newsletter incorporating this guidance document has been issued to all accommodation centres and this includes communication pathways by which residents can communicate on education related issues.
RTE has developed the RTE Home School Hub, which is an additional support for parents and primary school pupils. Pupils are able to watch, download and engage with curriculum-based content, project work, and fun activities to keep them entertained and learning. This broadcast is a supplement to the ongoing learning being provided by teachers.
My Department will continue to work closely with IPAS and TESS to ensure that children of school going age who are residing in accommodation centres under contract to the Department of Justice and Equality to accommodate international protection applicants are supported during the period of this pandemic.
209. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the position of women that are on maternity leave and provide an extension of maternity leave and benefit payments at this very difficult time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9892/20]
View answer210. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the mothers of newborn babies that are on maternity leave at this time will be supported; his views on the request to extend the maternity leave and benefit for them (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9921/20]
View answer211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering temporarily extending the period of paid maternity leave in view of the ongoing uncertainty regarding the availability of childcare and the other disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; if this will require amending primary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10219/20]
View answer217. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if maternity leave and maternity benefit will be extended in view of the issues faced by new parents in relation to the outbreak of Covid-19 and the lockdown measures. [9858/20]
View answer227. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the extension of maternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10056/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 211, inclusive, 217 and 227 together.
As the law now stands, a mother is entitled to this leave irrespective of the duration of her current employment. The mother can take maternity leave from casual or part-time employment. She can take up to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, and up to a further 16 weeks of unpaid leave. Two weeks must be taken before the baby is due, and at least four weeks must be taken after the birth. As Minister of State for Justice and Equality, the legislation that governs the provision of maternity leave is my responsibility and any such amendment would likely require primary legislation. The provision of maternity benefit is under the remit of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These matters are currently being examined by Government.
As you will be aware, on 29 May the Minister for Finance announced changes to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme to accommodate the salaries of parents returning from maternity or adoptive leave. The changes are aimed at individuals who may not have been on the payroll of their employer on 29 February, or been paid in either January or February 2020 and will allow for consistent treatment with other employees.
The amendment will be legislated for later in the year as part of the usual Finance Bill 2020 process, but in the interim Revenue has agreed to provide a facility to accommodate such cases. Although expected to be implemented on the 12th June, Revenue launched a new process on Monday 8th June which allows employers to include employees returning to employment after a period of paternity, parental or related unpaid leave or were in receipt of Health and Safety Benefit, Parent’s Benefit or Illness Benefit paid by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). Employers who wish to access the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme on behalf of eligible employees covered by these changes can do so by completing a short form available for download via MyEnquiries in Revenue’s Online Service (ROS). The relevant details that employers will need to provide to Revenue include current contractual gross pay, pay frequency, normal PRSI class, type of leave the returning employee availed of and the date of return to work. Any retrospective subsidy payments due to impacted employees will be processed by Revenue in due course. This retrospection will apply from 26 March 2020, the date of return to employment or the date the employer was registered for the scheme, whichever is the latest
I am conscious of demands on parents at this time and hope that the additional measures to support working parents that I have introduced in recent years, including the new parent’s leave scheme and an extension of parental leave, are helping to ease some of these demands. In addition to maternity leave, each parent may also avail of two weeks of parent’s leave during the first year of a child’s life and may qualify for parent’s benefit during this period. Parental leave is also available which entitles parents to take unpaid leave from work to spend time looking after their children. Parents can take up to 22 weeks of parental leave for each eligible child before their 12th birthday.
212. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on proposals raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding reopening businesses in the hospitality sector. [10464/20]
View answerThe Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 contain important statutory provisions that govern the licensing of premises for the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor, and regulate such sale and supply. One of the key objectives of the licensing system, which generally requires that an applicant obtains a certificate from the Circuit Court or the District Court prior to obtaining the licence from the Revenue Commissioners, is to ensure that the person concerned is a fit and proper person and competent to undertake the statutory responsibilities of a licensee. It is for this reason that the Gardaí are a notice party to such applications. In order to ensure compliance with licensing law provisions, licensees must display a detailed knowledge of the applicable licensing rules, including restrictions applicable to sales and supply to underage persons, ensure appropriate training of staff and be in a position to maintain proper conduct on the premises.
A further objective of the licensing system is to ensure that premises are suitable for the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor and that they provide a safe and secure environment for both customers and staff. This requires knowledge of, and compliance with, the relevant statutory fire safety standards, as well as workplace health and safety rules. Compliance with these aspects are of particular importance for the health and welfare of staff where intoxicating liquor is consumed on the premises.
Finally, it is important to bear in mind that licensees are liable to be prosecuted in the event of any infringements of licensing law. For example, under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 it is an offence for a licensee to permit drunkenness or disorderly conduct on the licensed premises. In a similar manner, improper sale or supply on intoxicating liquor to underage persons is an offence under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988. Fines may be imposed in the event of convictions. Moreover, claims for damages may arise where, for whatever reason, detriment is suffered by a customer or other person on the premises.
In light of these important factors, I do not consider that the establishment of bars in local community centres and the authorisation of mobile outlets would be in the public interest at this time. Further changes may be considered by the incoming Government.
213. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps, for example, replacing netting and Garda presence during yard time, he is taking to reduce the incidence of drugs being thrown into Mountjoy Prison from the surrounding streets especially Glengarriff Parade. [9683/20]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that several steps are being taken to combat the throw-over of drugs into prisons, including Mountjoy Prison.
The Deputy will appreciate that for operational reasons I cannot go into detail on those measures.
However I can confirm that management at Mountjoy Prison advise me they are in regular contact with An Garda Síochána on this issue and that a number of arrests have been made.
214. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 272, 273, 274, 275 and 276 of 15 October 2019, when the report referred to will issue to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9733/20]
View answer215. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 134, 135 and 136 of 16 October 2019, when the report will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9734/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
First it is important to say that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including human resources matters. These are not matters within my responsibility as Minister.
In relation to medical certification requirements for Garda members, I am advised by the Garda authorities if an absence lasts for more than one tour of duty, the member is required to submit a short medical certificate (not exceeding one month) to local management. I am further advised that HR require medical certificate if the absence exceeds 28 days or if the member has exceeded 92 days in 12 months and/or 183 days in 4 years (and is therefore pay affected). Failure to submit proper medical certification may result in disciplinary action and/or removal from the payroll.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda Human Resources do not keep central records of difficulties relating to the submission of medical certificates – rather, I understand that if a case is brought to the attention of Human Resources by local management, these cases are dealt with on an individual basis. As such the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and the time required to compile it would be unduly onerous.
In relation to the arrest of Garda staff since 1973 and the charges on which they have been arrested, I am informed by the Garda authorities while information relating to individual incidents is recorded on Pulse, the information requested is not readily available or easily collated. I am informed that the effort required in order to compile this information would be unduly onerous and an unjustified use of limited Garda time and resources. As such, I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with this specific information.
In relation to the number of Garda staff who were reduced to zero pay whilst under investigation, I am informed by the Garda authorities that in recent years there was one case of a Garda staff member who was availing of sick leave while under investigation and, due to exceeding the paid sick leave limits, had their level of pay reduced to zero.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that between 2010 and 15 October 2019, a total of three Garda staff were suspended while under investigation. One person was suspended in 2010 and two were suspended in 2018. I am informed that there was no case in which a member of Garda staff was suspended without pay.
With regard to the promotion of sworn members following or whilst the subject of a public interest inquiry, I am informed that the Competitions Office in An Garda Síochána runs competitions in accordance with the Code of Practice Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service and HQ Directive 23/12 (Guidelines for Internal Appointments and Promotions). It is important to say that the fact of an investigation does not imply wrongdoing or guilt. I understand that An Garda Síochána carries out a number of checks on candidates for matters such as sick leave, discipline and signing of the Code of Ethics. The successfulcandidates selected by the Interview Board are sent to the Garda Commissionerfor approval.
216. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the decision has been made to move the office of the Inspector of Prisons from Nenagh, County Tipperary to Dublin; when the move is due to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9779/20]
View answer225. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the office of the Inspector of Prisons is to be moved from Nenagh, County Tipperary; the criteria or protocols being used for such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10016/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 225 together.
The main function of the Inspector of Prisons is to carry out regular inspections of prisons and places of detention in Ireland. It plays a vital role in ensuring effective independent oversight of our prison system and I was pleased to see an increase in the budget by €0.7m in Budget 2020, bringing the total allocation to €1.2 million this year.
The Inspector is independent in the performance of her functions and it has been a matter for the Inspector of the day to decide how the functions of the Office should be performed, within allocated resources.
I understand it has for some time been intended that the Office of the Inspector of Prisons would move from Nenagh, Co Tipperary to the greater Dublin area where a large percentage of the overall prison population are located and the advertisement for the role of Inspector in late 2017 reflected that. I understand that since 2018 the Office has been operating in two locations - in temporary office space in Dublin and the office in Nenagh - and that there are currently a very small number of staff in both of these locations.
While the office is small at present with a total of 5 staff, of whom 3 are in Dublin, there are plans to expand this cohort and recruitment is ongoing at present for roles at Inspector and Senior Inspector level. Work is also continuing to identify a permanent office in Dublin.
218. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new households created by IPAS since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak here, households being persons not from the same family sharing a bedroom. [9896/20]
View answerThe figures requested by the Deputy are currently being collated by my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). They will be forwarded to the Deputy in the coming days as soon as this process is completed.
219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of citizenship applications outstanding; and the average timeframe for decisions in relation to citizenship applications through marriage. [9934/20]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the total number of citizenship applications on hands currently is 18,330.
Applications from a spouse of an Irish citizen under Section 15A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, made between 2010 and 2019, were processed in an average time of 9.6 months.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level. It is important therefore that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
220. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Garda Reserve programme will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9936/20]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána as well as the allocation and distribution of resources. This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister, I have no responsibility in these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I understand that there are currently 436 Garda reserves. The Deputy may be interested to know that the strength of the Garda Reserve in each of the years from 2009 to 30 April 2020, as provided by me by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Reserve
The Deputy will appreciate that the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, endorsed by the Government in December 2018, suggested that the Garda Reserve programme as it stands is not realising its potential. The Commission recommended that future recruitment to the Garda Reserve should be paused, pending the outcome of a comprehensive strategic review, in order to examine how best to structure the Garda Reserve to meet the needs of An Garda Síochána. This was subsequently included in "A Policing Service for the Future ", the 4-year implementation plan for the Commission's report.
I understand from the Garda authorities that the Garda Commissioner commenced a review of the Reserve in 2019.
I am further informed that a new Garda Reserve class commenced training in March 2019. I understand that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, completion of training, certification and attestation is taking a longer period than usual.
I understand that further recruitment to the Garda reserve was closed in November 2019 and that candidates remaining in the appointments process were informed of that at the time. I understand that commencement of further recruitment for the reserve will be dependent on factors including capacity to provide training.
