asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the total number of females who applied for recruitment to the ban-ghardaí when the last examinations were held; the total number who passed the examinations; the total number who passed the medical examination; the total number who passed the interview; the total number admitted to the ban-ghardaí to date; the proposals he has to admit more females from the last examinations into the force over the coming year; if he is satisfied that sufficient numbers of ban-ghardaí are being recruited; and if he will make a statement on this situation.
Written Answers. - Ban-gharda Recruitment.
563.
, Limerick East): The particulars sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of women who applied and qualified at the competitive interview etc. were given in the reply to Question No. 708 of 10 October 1984 to which I would refer the Deputy.
To date a total of 30 ban-ghardaí have been appointed from the last competition and it is intended to appoint a further 20 approximately within the next few months. A decision as to whether any further appointments will be made from this competition has not yet been taken.
The number of ban-ghardaí serving in the force has increased substantially over the past five years—from 97 on 1 January 1980 to 328 on 1 January 1985 — and the level of ban-gharda recruitment is being kept under constant review.