Garda Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017

Wednesday, 3 May 2017

Ceisteanna (135)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

135. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider raising the age limit which is imposed on persons wishing to join An Garda Síochána whereby persons must be 18 years of age but not yet 35 years of age on midnight of the closing date for the competition; if she will consider extending recruitment to older persons by bringing the age limit in line with that of the PSNI, in which the age limit stands at 42 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21131/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 and the recruitment and training of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter.

Recruitment competitions for full time members of An Garda Síochána are open to all who meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013.

Regulation 4 (a) specifies that the age at which a person may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is not more than 35 years.

This upper age limit of 35 was set having regard to equality legislation and also took into account the following criteria:

(1) the cost of training and the need for recruits to serve for a sufficient period of time as full members of the service to recoup this cost,

(2) the operational requirements of the service in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the physical demands placed on members in the course of their duty.

There are currently no plans to review this Regulation.