John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for choosing this subject for the Topical Issue debate. A few days ago, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, announced that Garda recruitment would recommence towards the end of this year. It was a very welcome announcement not only for those who will apply and be successful, but also because it underlines the Government's commitment to maintain Garda numbers at a certain level.

What are the timelines involved? In other words, when will the training period commence in Templemore? In the past, the training model for gardaí took almost two years, but I understand that a different model will be used henceforth, which will last nine months. Perhaps the Minister of State could clarify that point.

According to the Minister's statement, some 27,000 applications have been made for Garda recruitment, which is a huge number. I expect that when the applications are processed, the figure may be even greater.

When will applications be accepted? Prior to the moratorium on recruitment a number of applicants, having passed their medicals, had been placed on a panel and were waiting to be called to attend Templemore for training. What recognition will be given to these people? It would be unfair if this were totally discounted and those applicants had to reapply. I understand some of them may have gone abroad or moved on to other careers. However, it is important those who have not are given some recognition for having been already on the panel. I understand 400 successful applicants had been placed on that panel, all of whom had a real expectation of recruitment. What is their position?

Also, there are currently 1,200 Garda Reserves, who while doing a good job have a different status from that of gardaí. I assume many of them would also like to apply for recruitment to the Garda Síochána. Will recognition be given to their having volunteered as a Garda Reserve?

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, who is attending a Justice and Home Affairs ministerial meeting in Vilnius today.

The House will be aware that the Minister announced on Monday that he had received sanction from his colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to hold a recruitment competition for An Garda Síochána. This is a very welcome development and the Minister is grateful to Minster, Deputy Howlin, for his sanction to proceed with this competition. The Minster firmly believes that, despite the general public service moratorium on recruitment, and the continuing financial constraints, an organisation like An Garda Síochána should have an intake of new members, even if at a modest level, on a regular basis.

Given the procedures that need to be put in place in advance of recruitment commencing, the anticipated high number of applications, the selection process and the formation of a panel, it will be 2014 before students will enter the Garda college in Templemore to begin training. The competition will be run by the Public Appointments Service. As things stand, some 27,000 expressions of interest have been received from persons wishing to join the Garda Síochána. The Minister expects there will be a large number of applications once the recruitment process formally opens. It is too early at this stage to indicate how many persons might be recruited, as this will depend on a number of factors including the rate of retirements.

The student-probationer training programme upon which these students will be embarking has been radically restructured. The main difference between it and the earlier programme is that the new programme carries a greater emphasis on operational policing and focuses on real life scenarios which, in turn, prepare students better for the policing challenges they will face. The new programme will also instil a lifelong learning philosophy for members of the Garda Síochána, with a suite of mandatory and elective courses being made available. In the light of this revised training programme, and in view of the fact that the existing Garda recruitment panel is now approximately five years old, it will not be used in this or any future recruitment. Of course, people on the panel may reapply to join the Garda Síochána, once they meet the eligibility criteria.

In addition to the review of the training programme in the Garda College, the Commissioner has also considered whether some changes could be made in the area of educational requirements, to align them with the national framework of qualifications, while at the same time using the leaving certificate as an optional entry level requirement. The objective would be to align educational requirements with the official framework as well as open up access to those who may not have completed the leaving certificate but have completed another course which demonstrates their abilities, perhaps in a less academic environment. Such a change could also make it more straightforward to recognise qualifications achieved outside Ireland as the framework provides a comparative tool with qualifications gained outside the State. A decision will be taken on this as part of the preparations for the holding of a competition.

The Minister is determined that the resources of An Garda Síochána will be used in the best, most effective and efficient way possible. The House will be aware that the agreement reached with the Garda associations includes a provision for a review of the Garda Síochána and that this review includes the structure, organisation and staffing of An Garda Síochána. The review is due to start in September of this year and to be completed in June of next year. The Minister remains confident that the primary Garda objective of combating crime will continue to be achieved, and that, despite the pressure on the public finances, the force will continue, with this fresh impetus of new recruitment, its excellent work of preventing and detecting criminal behaviour.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for her response. I am disappointed to hear from the reply that a new panel is to be formed. While as I stated earlier, some of the 400 people on the previous panel may have gone abroad or moved on to different careers, I believe some recognition should be given to those on the current panel still interested in a career in the Garda Síochána. Obviously, as they had been placed on the panel there were deemed eligible for recruitment. Perhaps the Minister of State would raise with the Minister, Deputy Shatter, the possibility of these people being given some recognition in this regard.

My second question related to the Garda Reserve. Will the recruitment process take into account the service of Garda Reserves who apply for recruitment to the Garda Síochána? If the process is to commence in 2014, it will be late 2014 or early 2015 before the new recruits will be out on the beat? What will be the Garda strength at that stage? Also, what are the projected garda retirements for 2013 and how many retired in 2012? I understand the Minister of State may not have that information today but I ask that she take note of my questions and ask the Minister to reply directly to me.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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That the number of new gardaí to be recruited will depend on staffing issues, including retirements, is to our advantage. It means we are not confined to a particular number.

On the previous panel, this type of detail must be left to the Commissioner, who is more aware of the dedication required of a person in order to become a garda.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I raised the issue because it has been raised with me.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I will inform the Minister of the Deputy's concerns.