Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
182. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the number of valid applications received for the latest Garda recruitment campaign; the number of these from applicants aged over 40 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12372/25]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including the recruitment and training of Garda members. Public Jobs, on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Trainees. As Minister I have no role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,784 people applied for the 2025 Garda Trainee Recruitment Competition. This is the total number of applications and applicants will now enter into a competitive selection process involving a number of stages. 965 candidates over 40 years of age applied for this competition. This clearly shows there is a strong interest in a career with An Garda Síochána.
Last week 201 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore, the largest single intake since 2019. It is the first of four intakes planned for this year.
A number of significant measures have been made to boost recruitment and retention including increasing the Garda trainee allowance to €354 per week, increasing the age of entry from 35 to 50 and increasing the mandatory retirement age to 62. Momentum is continuing to build in the area of recruitment and we can already see the positive effects of these measures.
A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established to support the achievement of increased recruitment to An Garda Síochána. The group is due to report to me in mid-2025 and is looking at a range of issues, including how to ensure that there is the training capacity to meet the Government's ambitious recruitment targets for the next five years.
