Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
861. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will immediately move to amend regulations in respect of Garda trainee recruitment, to increase the maximum age of applicants ahead of the next recruitment campaign; and her views on whether the current maximum age of applicants gives rise to a perception that the police service is ageist. [54683/22]
View answerI welcome the strong interest which exists for serving as a member of An Garda Síochána and the strong desire which many people have to serve our communities. The 2022 recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána saw 11,000 people express an interest in joining the service.
As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by legislation, particularly the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 (as amended). These Regulations provide that the maximum age at which a person may apply to become a member of An Garda Síochána is not more than 35 years of age on the closing date of any Garda recruitment competition. Any amendments to these Regulations would be carried out in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and the Policing Authority and put before Government for approval.
There is an ongoing appeal to the Labour Court in relation to the maximum age of Garda recruitment, and the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána are parties to this appeal. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter at this time.
An Expert Review Group was established by the Garda Commissioner to examine the issue of Garda recruitment, entry pathways and recruit education. This review is a commitment under A Policing Service for our Future, the Government’s implementation plan for the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Group examined a variety of matters, including the age of recruitment to An Garda Síochána.
I am informed that the Group’s report is currently being considered by the Garda Commissioner.
