Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
469. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that applied to An Garda Síochána for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022; the number who failed the fitness test; the number who failed the medical test, the interview, and the vetting process, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9480/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that Gardaí have the resources necessary to carry out their vital service, demonstrated by the unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána under Budget 2023. This level of funding will provide a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming year.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) administers the initial stages of any recruitment competition for An Garda Síochána on behalf of the Commissioner, including any panels associated with those competitions. PAS is the independent body responsible for public service recruitment under the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of candidates who were offered a place to commence training in the Garda College, the number who commenced training and the number that did not accept the offer in 2022.
For the Deputy's information, there were no competitions for Garda recruit in 2020 and 2021.
|
Competition |
Offered |
Commenced Training |
Declined offer |
|
2022 |
110 (to date) |
92 (to date) |
18 (to date) |
I am further informed that fewer than 10 candidates failed the medical exam in 2022; and fewer than 10 candidates failed the vetting process. As the Deputy will appreciate, more comprehensive figures cannot be released for data protection reasons.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the table below provides a breakdown of candidates invited to the Physical Competence Test (PCT).
|
Year |
Invited to PCT |
Failed |
Did not attend |
Passed |
|
2022 |
594 |
80 |
19 |
456 |
*Figure correct as of 7 February 2022. As this competition is still in progress, these figures are operational and subject to change. I am advised that a number of candidates have deferred their PCT to a later date.
I understand that candidates can avail of a re-test if they fail the initial Physical Competence Test (PCT). If they fail the re-test they can make an appeal for a third PCT. If the appeal is granted this is their third and final attempt at the PCT.
Therefore, the numbers above include all tests conducted including where an individual failed and had additional opportunities to pass at a re-test or at an appeal.
