Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:
145. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that applied to the Garda recruitment campaign 2022; the number of these applicants that took the fitness test; and of these, the number that failed the test. [58247/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, regrettably this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 23 November 2022 where you asked:
‘the number of persons that applied to the Garda recruitment campaign 2022; the number of these applicants that took the fitness test; and of these, the number that failed the test.’
As you will recall, Minister McEntee sought the information from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand. As I have since taken office as Minister for Justice, I am writing in reply.
As you may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I play no role in the process of Garda recruitment.
I am advised that the initial stages of the Garda recruitment campaign are managed on the Commissioner’s behalf by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). PAS is responsible for the processing of applications and Stage 1 (numerical and verbal reasoning tests), Stage 2 (report writing exercise) and Stage 3 (Interview). Following interview successful candidates are referred to An Garda Síochána for the subsequent phases of the process, which entail medical, Physical competency testing, and vetting.
The current recruitment campaign, which closed in March 2022, remains ongoing with a large number of candidates at various stages of the process.
I am advised that so far, 260 candidates have passed the Physical Competency Test (PCT) and that 55 candidates have failed their PCT. It should be noted that candidates who fail the PCT are offered an opportunity to retake the test.
