As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by legislation, particularly the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. These Regulations provide that the maximum age at which a person may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is not more than 35 years.
I can inform the Deputy that an Expert Review Group has been established by the Garda Commissioner to examine the issue of Garda Recruitment, Entry Pathways and Recruit Education. This review is a commitment under A Policing Service for our Future, the Government’s implementation plan for the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Group will examine a variety of matters including the age of recruitment to An Garda Síochána. The Group, which operates in an advisory capacity, commenced work in late 2020 with a view to submitting a report to the Garda Commissioner within 12 months. I expect that the Commissioner will engage further with the Minister at that point on foot of the Group's advice and analysis.