Garda Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2018

Thursday, 17 May 2018

Ceisteanna (77)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

77. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a matter (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21869/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As the Deputy will be aware recruitment for An Garda Síochána is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner in the first instance.

Recruitment for an Garda Síochána is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is an independent recruiter for the civil and some parts of the public service.

I understand that while the Pubic Appointments Service conducts the initial competitive selection stages for Garda Trainee on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, eligibility requirements are set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions & Appointments) Regulations, 2013. This includes a requirement for applicants to have proven proficiency in two languages, one of which must be Irish or English.

In cases where candidates do not have the required proven proficiency Irish or English e.g. have not achieved a minimum of Grade D in Ordinary Level at the Leaving Certificate, and have qualified at Stage 3 (interview) of the selection process, the Public Appointment Service affords those candidates an opportunity to undergo an alternative written and oral language test. The written and oral language test process is an alternative route for the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in the language if they do not have it in the Leaving Certificate.

However, the written and oral language test is analogous to the Leaving Cert in that candidates have only one opportunity to demonstrate proficiency. The recruitment process to Garda Trainee is a competitive one. It is not appropriate in the context of a competitive recruitment process to afford a candidate additional opportunities to complete elements of the assessment process. It is however open to individuals to apply again for subsequent Garda Trainee competitions, if they continue to be eligible.