asked the Minister for Justice the number of candidates to be called for medical examination or to be appointed from the 1983 competition for entry to the Garda Síochána.
61.
Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.
20.
asked the Minister for Justice the recruit panel number of the latest Garda recruit called for Garda training; and how far along the panel his Department expect to go in recruiting new gardaí.
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 61 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a total of 1,280 men and 122 women have been called for medical examination and, where appropriate, oral Irish test. The numbers appointed to date are 843 men and 70 women and, in the context of the planned appointment of a further 25 men in early December, it is anticipated that a total of 1,300 men will have been called for medical examination etc. before the end of the year.
A decision has not yet been taken as to precisely how many of those who qualified in the 1983 recruitment competition will be offered appointments. This will depend mainly on when the next recruitment competition will be held. In this regard, I should say that at present I am in the process of reviewing the standards and requirements for admission to the force. I hope to be in a position fairly soon to announce details of a new competition which is likely to be held in the spring of 1986.