asked the Minister for Justice if he will state, in connection with the recent recruitment to the Gárda Síochána, the number of applicants selected by the Commissioner for examination; whether all those selected had obtained the Leaving Certificate; whether candidates having the Leaving Certificate, and satisfying in every respect as to age, character, physique, and service in the Defence Forces, were not called for examination; and, if so, if the Minister will state on what principle such rejection can be justified.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gárda Recruitment.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:—(1) The number of applicants selected by the Commissioner for examination was 229. (2) Not all those selected had obtained the Leaving Certificate. (3) Included among those applicants not selected for examination were a number who claimed to have passed the Leaving Certificate. (4) By statutory Order, the selection of candidates for admission to the Gárda Síochána is vested in the Commissioner.
In March last, advertisements were issued inviting applications from suitable members of the Defence Forces, L.D.F., L.S.F., and the A.R.P. service to fill a limited number of vacancies likely to arise during the year. Forms of application were issued for completion to the applicants, and 2,118 completed forms were received back in course. From these, 229 applicants were selected personally by the Commissioner for presentation for examination by the Civil Service Commissioners.
In making his selection of candidates for presentation for examination, the Commissioner was influenced solely by the physical and educational qualifications of the candidates—to the extent to which these could be gleaned from the forms of application—and he gave preferential consideration to candidates of 5 ft. 10 ins. and upwards in height. The statutory requirements are minimum qualifying requirements, and it is obvious that with thousands of applicants and only a limited number of vacancies, a large number of applicants prima facie eligible must suffer disappointment. A competitive examination for all applicants is not considered the most suitable machinery for selecting recruits.