Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:313 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the outcome of the review of the eligibility criteria for entry to the Garda Síochána will be made available. [26664/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 28 October 2004
Ceisteanna (313)
Freagraí scríofa
In connection with my recent announcement of the Government's intention to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000, I have taken the opportunity to ask the Garda Commissioner to review the eligibility criteria for entry to the Garda Síochána.
I believe this is an opportune moment to ensure that the criteria for entry meet the needs of the Garda Síochána and the society it serves. One particular aspect which I know the Commissioner has already studied is the maximum age of entry, and arising from that I will be proposing to Government that the age should be increased from 26 to 35 in respect of recruitment from now on. There may also be other criteria which would benefit from review. I think it is right, for example, that future intakes of recruits to the Garda Síochána should as far as possible reflect the composition of Irish society, and I am anxious to see if there are any possible changes to the existing criteria which might facilitate recruitment from different ethnic backgrounds in our community. This review will be concluded in advance of the next Garda recruitment campaign, which I expect to commence shortly.