asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (1) how many applications were received for the recent recruitment for the Gárda Síochána; (2) how many of the applicants fulfilled the conditions as regards age and physique; (3) how many presented themselves for the written examination; (4) when and how will the successes at the examination be made known; and (5) how many recruits will be called for training as a result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gárda Síochána Recruitment.
Mr. Boland
The information asked for is as follows:—
(1) The number of applications on the appropriate application form received by the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána within the prescribed time was 2,118.
(2) As, in the vast majority of cases, the only information regarding the age and physique of these candidates in the possession of the Commissioner is that supplied by the candidates themselves, it is not possible to say how many of them fulfilled the prescribed conditions under those heads.
In order to eliminate unnecessary expense and inconvenience, the Commissioner has personally selected some 270 of the candidates for detailed inquiry as to character, national service, age, physique, etc., with the intention of forwarding the names of not more than 250 candidates to the Civil Service Commissioners for examination with a view to certification. This inquiry is not yet complete.
(3) No part—written or other—of the examination to be conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners has yet been held. The number to sit for the examination will not, however, exceed 250.
(4) Candidates will be notified by letter by the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána when the results of the examination are received from the Civil Service Commissioners.
(5) It is not possible to say how many candidates will be called for training; the present intention is to call immediately 100 men if so many are certified by the Civil Service Commissioners.