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An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (494, 497)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

494. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the review into the age limits for joining An Garda Síochána will be completed; the status of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3289/22]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

497. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice her plans to consult with the Policing Authority and An Garda Síochána regarding reforming Garda recruitment policy to increase the age limitations of recruits and to allow for qualified members of other European police services to transfer into and apply for police duties in An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3364/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 497 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by legislation, in particular the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. These regulations provide that the maximum age at which a person may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is not more than 35 years of age on midnight on the closing date on any Garda recruitment competition.

There are no plans to change the age limits for Garda recruitment in advance of the upcoming 2022 competition. Any amendments to the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 are carried out in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and Policing Authority

I can inform the Deputies that an Expert Review Group was established under the remit of the Garda Commissioner to examine the issues of Garda recruitment, recruit education, entry pathways, and learning and development. This review was a commitment under A Policing Service for our Future, the Government’s Implementation Plan for the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Group, which was to operate in an advisory capacity, was tasked to examine a variety of matters including the age of recruitment to An Garda Síochána. The report of the Expert Review Group is currently being considered by the Garda Commissioner.

Current legislation provides that nationals of an EU Member State, an EEA State, the United Kingdom or the Swiss Confederation are eligible to apply to join An Garda Síochána as recruits, or to join the Garda Reserve, through the normal competitions. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 also provides for the direct recruitment, by way of open competition, of members of the PSNI into An Garda Síochána at certain senior levels, i.e. Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner. There is also provision for the limited–term secondment of PSNI officers under certain circumstances.

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