Nora Owen
Ceist:226 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will raise the upper age limit for entry to the Garda Síochána to 30 years of age. [30155/00]
Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.
I have no plans at present to amend the regulations which provide for an upper age limit for recruitment of trainees to the Garda Síochána.
The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations, 1988, as amended, prescribe the criteria for recruitment of trainees to the Force. In general, the upper age limit for recruitment of trainees to the Garda Síochána is 26 years. Subject to certain limits, deductions in age can be granted in respect of service in the Defence Forces.
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, exempts the Garda Síochána from the provisions of the Act relating to discrimination on grounds of age as the essential functions of the force require that it comprise a reasonable proportion of young people. Other factors to be borne in mind in considering the upper age limit for recruitment are the cost of Garda training and the voluntary retirement arrangements in the force.
No difficulty has been experienced in obtaining sufficient applicants of an appropriate standard to meet recruiting requirements. In this regard, the strength of the force is due to reach 12,000, the highest level in the history of the State, by the end of 2002.