Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
856. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the current existing panel of Garda applicants will be used for recruitment; if recruitment to the Garda will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34220/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the training for recruit gardaí, a revised training programme has been introduced in the Garda College. In light of this and in view of the fact that the existing Garda recruitment panel is now approximately five years old, it is unlikely that the existing panel will be used in any future recruitment. I believe it is important for an organisation such as An Garda Síochána to have some regular intakes of new recruits, even if on a modest scale. In this context, I am pleased to have received sanction from my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to hold a recruitment competition for An Garda Síochána. I will make arrangements with the Public Appointments Service so that they can do the necessary preparatory work to deal with what is expected to be a very large number of applications later this year.
