Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 670: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who achieved 97th out of approximately 1,100 applicants in an aptitude test for recruitment to the Garda Siochána was not afforded an interview, in view of the fact that they indicated that they were taking their leaving certificate maths examination in June 2005; if leaving certificate persons who are completing their examinations in June 2005 will be likewise precluded from participating in an interview for membership of the Garda Siochána; the further reason they were not informed in writing that the interview was being cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10152/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The position is that recruitment to the Garda Síochána is carried out by the Public Appointments Service and any issue concerning an individual application is a matter for that body.

By way of being helpful, I can inform the Deputy that entry to the Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988, as amended. These regulations set out, inter alia, the educational requirements for entry to the force. The specific circumstances outlined by the Deputy are addressed at regulation 5(1)(d), which sets out that the applicant must have the necessary educational qualifications by 1 September of the year in which the competition is advertised. The most recent recruitment competition was advertised in 2004.