I am informed by the Civil Service Commissioners that recruitment to the Garda Síochána is by open competition. The selection process involves three stages i.e. a written reasoning ability test and a competitive interview conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, and a medical examination.
Based on their performance at the recent written reasoning ability test, applicants who reached the required standard were divided into 21 groups with approximately 300 in each group. Applicants are in the process of being called to interview strictly in accordance with their placing in the written reasoning ability test. No credit points are carried forward from the written test stage.
To date 514 applicants have been interviewed, 66 per cent of whom have reached the required standard.